Experts urge swift, coordinated action to close protection gaps and prevent rising collision threats. [December 9, 2025, Vancouver] A new study from Ocean Wise, “Bridging borders: Toward alignment of environmental regulations in the Salish Sea for whale conservation”, published in Marine Policy, examines how inconsistent environmental regulations between Canada and the United States are undermining … Continued
Related Images Ocean Wise and Trelleborg Marine and Infrastructure today announced a major advancement in marine mammal protection through the international expansion of Ocean Wise’s Whale Report Alert System (WRAS), a real-time alerting tool designed to reduce the risk of ship strikes on whales. This expansion includes a new integration with Trelleborg’s SafePilot Pro software, … Continued
Since September 2025, three humpback whales have been struck by vessels in British Columbia’s coastal waters. One of them, a well-known whale named Midnight (BCX1940), was killed on September 17 in Wright Sound. A month later, Skipper was severely injured by a passenger ferry near Vancouver’s English Bay. And just over a week ago, another … Continued
The North Coast of British Columbia (BC) is wild, raw, and full of life. It’s a place that grabs hold of you and doesn’t let you go. What makes it truly special is not just what it is today, but the incredible stories of resilience and recovery that inspire hope for our future. Nestled on … Continued
Every year, one of the most extraordinary natural migrations takes place in the Pacific Ocean. Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) undertake a journey that spans thousands of kilometers. These marine giants, part of the North Pacific population, follow a highly seasonal migration pattern that connects the frigid, food-rich waters of the north with the warm, tropical … Continued
Research demonstrated that porpoises approaching the Port of Prince Rupert echolocated less when vessels were present Download Photos Here. [October 2, 2025, Vancouver] A new study from Ocean Wise highlights the impact of vessels on one of British Columbia’s smallest marine mammals– the harbour porpoise. Influence of vessel disturbance on Pacific harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena … Continued
Ocean Wise publishes first-of-a-kind study on decoding the sex of whales from environmental DNA [September 9, 2025, Vancouver] Identifying the sex of wild whales can be surprisingly difficult, but a new study from Ocean Wise demonstrates how non-invasive environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling can help us understand these magnificent creatures like never before. Sexing from Seawater: … Continued
New research confirms the accuracy of citizen science reports in mapping whale populations Vancouver, B.C., August 6, 2025 – A new study from Ocean Wise confirms just how powerful citizen science can be. Assessing Cetacean Habitat Suitability in the Northeast Pacific From Citizen Science Data, published in the Journal of Biogeography, sought to find out if … Continued
Summer is the perfect time to get out on the water, enjoy the weather, and explore the rich marine life of the Pacific Coast. If you are near the water this summer, the coastal waters you might just be lucky enough to spot a whale. While killer whales and humpback whales are commonly seen during the summer months in British Columbia and Washington State, there is another whale … Continued
Join Ocean Wise, BlueAct Marine Society, the Sunshine Coast Conservation Association and the Loon Foundation to celebrate the whales of the Sunshine Coast! This August, join the Sunshine Coast Whale Festival to celebrate whale biodiversity and learn more about research and conservation initiatives underway in the region to help protect these incredible marine mammals. Led … Continued
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Ocean Wise is based in the traditional and unceded territory of the Coast Salish Peoples, including the territories of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. We work across Turtle Island and beyond, supporting Indigenous peoples in their vital work on ocean conservation and biodiversity whenever possible or as we are invited to.