California Current Killer Whale Study

05/03/2026

We’ve got some exciting news to share!

The Oceanic Research Alliance is now officially registered as a Canadian non-profit society.

Over the past few years, our work has grown across the west coast, and establishing a Canadian non-profit has been an important step in supporting long-term, locally focused research and conservation—especially here in the northern sector of the California Current off southern British Columbia.

With this, ORA now holds non-profit status in both the United States and Canada. This allows us to better support projects on both sides of the border while strengthening our presence here at home off the central coast of California.

For us, this isn’t just paperwork—it’s about building something lasting. It means more opportunities for local collaboration, community-based research, and long-term monitoring of the ecosystems we care about.

A big thank you to everyone who has supported this work along the way.

https://www.oceanicresearchalliance.org/

ORA - Oceanic Research Alliance
ORA -Juan de Fuca Living Waters Program
Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries
Marine Mammal Research Unit UBC (MMRU)
Neptune Wildlife Tours
NOAA Fisheries West Coast
NOAA's Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary
NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries

04/17/2026

New 2026 Protection Measures for Southern Resident Killer Whales

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) has announced updated management measures aimed at protecting Southern Resident killer whales (SRKW) in British Columbia waters.

One of the most significant updates: All vessels must now stay at least 1,000 metres away from Southern Resident killer whales throughout much of southern BC coastal waters — including areas between Campbell River and north of Ucluelet.

These measures are designed to reduce:
• Acoustic disturbance from vessel noise
• Physical disruption to foraging and social behaviour
• Cumulative stress on this endangered population

For those of us working on the water, this is a major change and reinforces the importance of responsible vessel operation around whales.

At the same time, it’s important to recognize:
Different killer whale populations (e.g., transient/Bigg’s vs. resident) have different ecologies and conservation needs
Accurate identification in the field is critical for compliance
Continued education and outreach will be key to making these measures effective

From a research perspective, these regulations highlight just how important it is to better understand killer whale distribution, habitat use, and population structure across the coast.

We encourage all mariners, researchers, and wildlife viewers to familiarize themselves with the updated rules and help contribute to the protection of these iconic animals.

If you’re unsure which whales you are encountering — slow down, keep your distance, and err on the side of caution.


ORA - Oceanic Research Alliance
Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries
Marine Mammal Research Unit UBC (MMRU)
ORA -Juan de Fuca Living Waters Program
Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, Parks Canada
Fisheries and Oceans Canada

04/12/2026

We need your help!

Our small research boat, Tl’uk, has been an important part of our work studying transient (mammal-eating) killer whales along the Pacific coast.

We named the vessel after a very special whale—T046B1B, a rare all-white transient killer whale whose story continues to inspire our research.

What Happened
Our outboard engine has failed and can’t be repaired. Without it, we’re unable to get out on the water to do our fieldwork.

What We Need
We’re trying to raise:
$5,000 to purchase a reliable replacement engine and get Tl’uk back in operation.

Why It Matters
Time on the water is everything for our work.
This vessel allows us to:

Track and photograph killer whales
Document behaviour and movements
Study groups that are still poorly understood
Contribute to long-term research and conservation

Losing access to the boat means losing valuable time in the field.

How You Can Help
If you’re able to contribute, it would mean a lot to our team.

Even small donations help. If donating isn’t possible, sharing this post makes a big difference too.

From Us to You
Tl’uk is more than just a boat. It’s part of how we do our work and connect with the ocean. We named it after a whale we’ll never forget. Now we’re hoping to keep that name—and what it stands for—out on the water.

Thank you for your support.

About ORA
The Oceanic Research Alliance is a registered U.S. non-profit organization dedicated to the study and conservation of marine mammals along the Pacific coast.

Learn More / Donate https://gofund.me/2118a86b6
www.oceanicresearchalliance.org or send us a message directly.


ORA - Oceanic Research Alliance
Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries
Marine Mammal Research Unit UBC (MMRU)

04/11/2026

Transient Killer Whales off Long Beach, Tofino
Long Beach, Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, BC
April 11, 2026

We received an exciting report this morning from the west coast of Vancouver Island, where two unidentified transient killer whales were observed moving through the surf off Incinerator Rock along Long Beach near Tofino.

Footage captured from shore by Robyn Lord by shows the pair navigating the dynamic sandy nearshore environment. Transient killer whales are highly adaptable predators, and sightings like this highlight how these animals frequently utilize shallow, high-energy coastal habitats while foraging.

Long Beach, within the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, represents an important ecological interface between offshore and coastal systems. Encounters like this offer a rare glimpse into predator-prey dynamics unfolding right at the edge of the Pacific.

A big thank you to Robyn Lord who documented and shared this encounter. Shore-based sightings continue to play an important role in expanding our understanding of transient killer whale distribution and behavior along the outer coast.

If you have sightings or footage to share, please feel free to reach out to our team t [email protected]

—
Oceanic Research Alliance (ORA)
Advancing the study of marine predators across the California Current Ecosystem


ORA - Oceanic Research Alliance
ORA -Juan de Fuca Living Waters Program
Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries
Marine Mammal Research Unit UBC (MMRU)
Neptune Wildlife Tours
Cameron Ocean Adventures
Jamie's Whaling Station & Adventure Centres
Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, Parks Canada

04/06/2026

Transient Killer Whales in Tofino Harbour – April 6, 2026

Today, members of our ORA - Oceanic Research Alliance received a report from our friend Howie Tom of a group of transient killer whales that swam into the Tofino Harbour on the west coast of Vancouver Island. We were able to identify these whales as members of the T068C matrilineal group.

This group of transient killer whales was observed moving through the harbour, likely utilizing the sheltered nearshore environment as part of their hunting strategy. Transient killer whales are mammal-eating specialists, and areas like Tofino’s intricate coastline, kelp beds, and nearby haul-out sites provide ideal conditions for locating prey such as harbour seals and Steller sea lions.

Encounters like this highlight just how dynamic and interconnected our coastal ecosystems are. Even busy harbours can become important hunting corridors for top predators, offering a rare opportunity to witness these animals in close proximity to shore.

If you were in the area and captured photos or observations, we encourage you to share them with our research team. Footage can be sent to [email protected].

Video by H. Tom


ORA - Oceanic Research Alliance
ORA -Juan de Fuca Living Waters Program
Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries
Marine Mammal Research Unit UBC (MMRU)
Ocean Outfitters Tofino Adventures
Jamie's Whaling Station & Adventure Centres
Cameron Ocean Adventures

04/06/2026

East Sooke Park | April 06, 2026

Yesterday our ORA - Oceanic Research Alliance team received information that three killer whales were sighted close to shore near our Oceana Research Station in Otter Point. They were reported travelling east towards Beechey Head off East Sooke Park.

We received photographs from Matt Hastings and were able to confirm these three whales as members of the T019 matrilineal group, a well known west coast transient (mammal-eaating) family that hunts marine mammals along the coast of Vancouver Island.

The T019s are one of the most commonly encountered transient groups. The T019s are led by the matriarch T019 (born. ~1965). T019 has two adult sons T019B (born. 1995) and T019C (born. 2001).

A huge thank you to Matt Hastings for sharing photographs with our research team.


ORA - Oceanic Research Alliance
ORA -Juan de Fuca Living Waters Program
Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries
Marine Mammal Research Unit UBC (MMRU)

03/30/2026

Oceana Acres Research Station | Otter Point | March 29, 2026:

Yesterday afternoon, between passing rain squalls and shifting light over the Juan de Fuca Strait, we were treated to an incredible shore-based encounter with four transient killer whales moving steadily east just offshore from our Oceana Acres Research Station in Otter Point.

From our elevated vantage point, we were able to track the group for an extended period as they navigated through tide rips and current lines between Otter Point and Secretary Island. These subtle oceanographic features often concentrate prey, and transient killer whales are well known for using them strategically while hunting.

Encounters like this highlight the value of land-based monitoring stations. Even without deploying a vessel, we can document movement patterns, habitat use, and behavior of these apex predators in real time—particularly in challenging weather conditions when offshore work is limited.

Every sighting contributes to a broader understanding of how transient killer whales use the outer coast of Vancouver Island, especially in regions that remain underrepresented in long-term datasets.

A reminder that some of the most meaningful observations don’t require going offshore—just patience, good optics, and being in the right place at the right time.

Photographs by ORA - Oceanic Research Alliance researcher Josh McInnes


ORA - Oceanic Research Alliance
ORA -Juan de Fuca Living Waters Program
Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries
Marine Mammal Research Unit UBC (MMRU)
Neptune Wildlife Tours

03/21/2026

Explore Our Work at Oceanic Research Alliance

Interested in learning more about ORA - Oceanic Research Alliance. We invite our community to check out the official Oceanic Research Alliance website to learn more about the research, conservation initiatives, and ongoing projects shaping our understanding of marine ecosystems.

👉 https://www.oceanicresearchalliance.org/

The Oceanic Research Alliance is a U.S.-based, registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing objective, science-driven research to better understand and protect marine life across the California Current Ecosystem that stretches from southern British Columbia to southern California.

From killer whale ecology to offshore species surveys and coastal monitoring programs, our work is focused on generating meaningful science that supports conservation and stewardship.

Take a moment to explore, follow along, and support the science driving ocean conservation.




ORA - Oceanic Research Alliance
ORA -Juan de Fuca Living Waters Program
Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries
Marine Mammal Research Unit UBC (MMRU)
NOAA Fisheries West Coast

Oceanic Research Alliance (ORA) is a is a registered not-for-profit and tax-exempt 501(c)(3). We are a team of scientists and researchers dedicated to protecting marine life in the vibrant waters of the California Current Ecosystem.

03/20/2026

Sooke, BC (March 19, 2026):

Yesterday we received a sighting of a lone adult male transient killer whale that had entered Sooke Harbour. We suspected that this was a commonly know transient known as T011A. Photographs sent to our research team from Joyce MacKinnon confirmed it!

T011A (born. 1978) is one of the largest west coast transient killer whales, with aerial photogrammetric studies estimating his length to be 8.3 m. He use to travel with his mother T011 (born. 1964), who died in 2019. Now he primarily travels and hunts alone, and is local favorite to the west coast of Vancouver Island .

Photographs by Joyce MacKinnon.

03/20/2026

Encounter Update: Transient Killer Whale – Race Rocks, BC
Juan de Fuca Strait | March 19, 2026

Despite a rainy afternoon on the water, persistence paid off.

While surveying the Juan de Fuca Strait today, our team encountered a familiar and formidable presence — T049C (born. 1998), a well-known lone adult male transient killer whale — just south of the iconic Race Rocks lighthouse.

T049C is recognized for his solitary lifestyle, a pattern occasionally observed in adult male transients. Seeing him actively hunting in the dynamic waters around Race Rocks highlights the ecological importance of this region. With strong tidal currents, abundant pinniped populations, and complex shoreline habitat, Race Rocks continues to serve as a critical foraging area for mammal-eating killer whales.

During our observation period, we observed T049C successfully kill an adult harbor seal, which he fed on for 10 minutes, before moving on.

Encounters like this are a reminder that even in challenging weather, these predators are constantly moving, hunting, and shaping the coastal ecosystem.

All photographs were taken using a 400 mm lens and vessel was turned off.


ORA - Oceanic Research Alliance
ORA -Juan de Fuca Living Waters Program
Institute for the Oceans and FisheriesMarine Mammal Research Unit UBC (MMRU)