Rare Whale Sighted in Waters Near California

A rarely sighted whale has been spotted in the waters near California. The whale, a type of right whale, was first seen by a research team from the University of California Davis on December 31st, 2017.

The right whale is an endangered species with a population of only about 500 animals. They are so named because they were the "right" whales to hunt, being slow and docile. Commercial whaling decimated their populations in the 18th and 19th centuries, and they have struggled to recover since laws protecting them were put into place.

The sighting off the coast of California is significant because it suggests that the population of right whales is growing and expanding farther north than ever before. It is still unknown how many right whales live in this region, but this discovery could help researchers learn more about their habits and movements.

Right whales are typically found in temperate or sub-Arctic waters, so their presence in California is unusual. They are the largest baleen whales in the world, reaching up to 60 feet in length and weighing up to 100 tons. They are characterized by their black skin and large white patches on their heads.

The research team that spotted the right whale is planning to return to the area in January 2018 to try to get a better understanding of its movements and behavior.

pod of whales spotted off coast of Maine

Whale watchers in Maine got a special treat over the weekend when they spotted a pod of humpback whales. The whales were seen just off the coast near Bar Harbor.

This isn't the first time humpback whales have been spotted in these waters. In fact, the population of humpbacks in the Gulf of Maine has been growing in recent years.

While there's no definitive answer as to why the number of humpbacks has been increasing, there are a few possible explanations.

One possibility is that climate change is causing the warming of northern waters, making it more hospitable for humpback whales. Another possibility is that migrating humpback whales are finding new areas to feed and breed in the Gulf of Maine.

whatever the reason, it's sure to be a sight to see for whale watchers in Maine!

Whales dive deep for food in unprecedented numbers

The whales have finally shown up.

In the past few weeks, whale-watching boats off the coasts of California and Oregon have had close encounters with dozens of humpbacks, grays and blues. Some boats came back with sightings of more than 100 whales.

"It was incredible," said Nancy Black, a marine biologist with Monterey Bay Whale Watch. "We were seeing breaching whales, spyhopping whales, tail lobbing whales. The ocean was just alive with them."

Scientists are not sure why there has been such an influx of whales this year, but they are theories. One is that the warmer water temperatures have drawn the whales closer to the coast in search of food. Another is that the El Niño weather pattern has created conditions that are favorable for certain types of plankton, which the whales feed on.

Whatever the reason, whale-watch operators are delighted.

"We're getting customers from all over the world who have never seen a whale before," said Greg Kaufman, owner of Santa Cruz Whale Watching. "They're coming out in droves to see these animals."

Whales have been spotted in unprecedented numbers off the coasts of California and Oregon in recent weeks. Scientists are not sure why there has been such an influx this year, but there are theories. One is that the warmer water temperatures have drawn the whales closer to shore in search of food. Another is that the El Niño weather pattern has created conditions that are favorable for certain types of plankton, which the whales feed on.

Humpback whale freed from fishing net in California

A humpback whale that was trapped in a fishing net off the coast of California for more than a day has been freed.

The whale was first spotted by boaters near Santa Cruz on Saturday afternoon. It appeared to be tangled in a gillnet, a type of fishing net that hangs vertically in the water and traps fish by their gills.

Rescuers from the nonprofit Pacific Marine Mammal Center (PMMC) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) arrived on Sunday morning to try to free the whale. They were initially unsuccessful and had to suspend their efforts because of high winds and waves.

The team returned on Monday morning and were finally able to cut the whale free.

"After four hours of cutting through heavy monofilament line, we finally freed her," said PMMC's rescue manager, Michele Firestone. "She swam right past our boat, Visiting Angels II, as if to say 'thank you.'"

The whale was estimated to be about 40 feet long and weighed about 25 tons. It is not known how long it had been trapped in the net.

Tourists flock to see killer whales off coast of Vancouver

The coastline of Vancouver is a popular destination for tourists, who come to see the city's stunning scenery and catch a glimpse of the majestic killer whales that frequent the area.

The orcas, or killer whales, are one of the most iconic creatures in British Columbia's waters, and have drawn visitors to the region for years. There are several charter companies that offer tours where passengers can get up close and personal with these awe-inspiring animals.

While there is no guarantee of seeing a pod of orcas on any given outing, those who visit during the late spring and summer months are most likely to encounter them. The best place to spot them is usually along the coast between Vancouver and Victoria, but they have also been known to travel as far north as Campbell River.

Tourists can expect to pay around $100 per person for a three-hour whale-watching trip, although some operators offer discounts for children and families. It's worth noting that these trips often sell out well in advance, so it's best to book soon if you're interested in getting a seat.

Whether you're a first-time visitor or a lifelong resident of British Columbia, there's nothing quite like watching the orcas dance through the waves offshore. So next time you find yourself in Vancouver, be sure to add whale-watching to your list of things to do!