Increase in whales, dolphins on BC Coast

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VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – More whales, dolphins, porpoises, and sea turtles are making appearances around the BC coast, and local researchers asking for your help in spotting the sea creatures.

“We’re getting humpback whales in the Strait of Georgia more than ever before and gray whales as well,” says Lance Barrett-Lennard, a lead researcher at the Vancouver Aquarium.

He says they’ve also recently noticed a group of about 100 dolphins swimming around the Howe Sound. 

“It reflects the improving condition for these animals, they’ve got to eat,” he says. “They’re here for food and really this is evidence that the population of small fish and plankton are now at adequate levels again after years of exploitation to support these animals.”

Researchers have made it easier to track these animals by setting up a public tip hotline at 1.866.I SAW.ONE. 

“What this has made it possible for us to do is to look at changes over time,” he explains. “We need to keep the sighting reports coming in.”

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