Victoria’s Inner Harbour becoming dining hotspot for killer whales

A new attraction could be drawing visitors to the spectacular sights found at Victoria’s iconic Inner Harbour.

Those strolling the harbour on Dec. 14, 2024, may have been lucky enough to catch a glimpse of Noah, a Bigg’s killer whale, stopping in for lunch. You may also be surprised to learn that what may have appeared to be a once-in-a-lifetime moment of harmony between the natural and urban worlds, is not uncommon, and in fact may become more regular.

“It makes sense because the entire population of Bigg’s killer whales has been increasing steadily over the last few decades,” said Val Shore, a senior naturalist with Eagle Wing Whale Watching Tours.

“Wherever there’s salt water they’re going to go. We had several in the last year and I think most of those visits came as far as the Empress float plane dock before they turned around.”

Bigg’s killer whale sightings are becoming more regular in busy harbours around B.C.

Rainy (or T011A), another Bigg’s killer whale, was spotted in the Sooke basin on March 2, along with two other Bigg’s males in Vancouver’s English Bay just the day before. An entire matriline – a group of whales descended from a single female – known as T077 was spotted in Port Angeles, Wash. on Jan. 8, while a separate group – T035A – made waves online in their debut appearance in Vancouver’s harbour in November.

Shore explained that Bigg’s killer whale populations have been increasing since 1970 when the government stopped culling harbour seals and sea lions. Shore says that the Bigg’s population is now approaching carrying capacity and expects the population’s rate of increase to slow in the coming years.

A matriline usually consists of four to seven animals and needs up to 10 seals a day to meet their feeding requirements. Males travelling solo will likely need two to three seals every day.

With a more established population, the whales are returning to harbours which make for fertile hunting grounds.

“There is strong motivation for them to find new hunting grounds and to keep coming back when the hunting is successful. Just like us, they have favourite restaurants,” Shore said.

“They’ve learned that there are easy picking seals in Victoria Harbour. They’re perhaps a little complacent and a little fat. It’s a good place to hunt.”

Bigg’s killer whales are highly intelligent and their appearance in local harbours is likely to continue due to their matriline nature, as mothers pass down the knowledge of the harbours to their offspring.

“That’s why, in the last few years, we’ve noticed that members of what we call the T49A matriline are coming into the harbour fairly consistently.”

Paying attention to the whales and giving them their space is important. If whale appearances continue or even become more frequent in the Inner Harbour, those working on the water are prepared for it.

“The harbour master will be communicating with the control tower for the float planes. Whenever the wheels come into the harbour, there is communication going on right away to ensure the whale’s safety and of course human safety,” Shore explained.

“It’s up to us to give them the space they need to do what they want to do, which we do.”

The Greater Victoria Harbour Association (GVHA) even looks forward to whale appearances.

“It’s always an exciting moment for our team when Bigg’s killer whales visit the Inner Harbour. Our staff have spotted them while working at Fisherman’s Wharf and on our nearby fuel dock,” said Emily Dobby, a GVHA communications specialist.

“Our harbour is home to a diverse range of marine life, including seals, sea lions, otters, and an incredible variety of seabirds. It’s a vibrant ecosystem that we appreciate every day, and we’re always thrilled to share these moments with the local community and visitors to the area.”

With populations doing well, it’s possible Bigg’s killer whales could appear in harbours more frequently, but as Shore says, “Only the whales know that for sure.”

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