NIMMSA Conservation Fund Year

NIMMSA funding supported fieldwork and data analysis for a PhD study examining humpback whale feeding behaviour off northern Vancouver Island. Using whale-borne tags and acoustic prey mapping, the project identified regional differences in prey selection and linked whale foraging behaviour to fine-scale prey distribution, providing critical insight for conservation and marine safety planning.

Marine Education and Research Society (MERS) advanced coast-wide research to better understand how often BC Humpback Whales survive entanglement in fishing gear. By analyzing thousands of tailstock photographs collected between 2011 and 2019, including coast-wide data from 2017, the project confirmed that entanglement remains a significant and ongoing threat. The findings will help inform upcoming conservation and management decisions for Humpbacks in BC, including Species at Risk Act planning and future status assessments.

Funding enabled Bere Point Research to purchase essential equipment and operate the Wild Side Project at Bere Point on Malcolm Island. With researchers present on site nearly 24/7, hundreds of visitors were engaged throughout the season and provided guidance on appropriate behavior around Orca at the rubbing beach. Education and outreach remain key tools in reducing human disturbance in this sensitive habitat. Data collected during the season indicated generally normal cetacean activity, while continued monitoring helps identify potential changes that could signal impacts to Orca and their habitat.