Know Your Neighbours: Irresistible Predators

April-May 2001

This is an article from WaveLength Magazine, available in print in North America and globally on the web.
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by Bryan Nichols

Orca Pod Photo Courtesy of Alexandra Morton

What was the highlight of your last paddling trip? For many of us, encounters with marine mammals are right up there with spectacular scenery and that connection to nature and mother ocean we cherish so much.

For reasons related to their size, intelligence and aura of mystery, marine mammals are likely the most "popular" group of wild critters in the western world. Images of them strike deep chords within us, from the helpless and hopelessly cute look of a baby seal to the jaw dropping power of a pack of killer whales on the hunt. Experiencing marine mammals is one of the reasons many beginners take up sea kayaking - and many veterans keep returning to their boats.

Of course it wasn't always this way. Not so long ago the only animals that were popular were cows, lambs and other barnyard denizens. Predators (which all marine mammals are) were either potentially dangerous or unwanted competition for food. Up until 1964 there was a government bounty on those cutesy harbor seals, paid by the nose. Perhaps you've heard of the machine gun the Canadian government set up to shoot killer whales as they swam past? Want to bet resurrecting that won't be an election promise anytime soon?

Marine mammals have undergone one of the most remarkable turnarounds in public perception of any animal. The USA's Marine Mammal Protection Act is one of the most powerful pieces of wildlife legislation in the world. While Canada's wildlife protection laws are embarrassing or nonexistent, the power of public opinion goes a long way in the protection department. Why do we feel so strongly about mammals that swim?

Size matters. Whales are the biggest critters on earth, bigger than elephants or dinosaurs. Being near one is an experience you cannot easily explain. In our jaded, VR world of 257 channels and civilized comforts, it still means something special to share the same patch of ocean with such immense animals. When you're in a tiny, responsive boat like a kayak, the experience is especially moving.

Brains matter. Whether you think dolphins are gentle, aquatic saints or toothy, fish scarfing sex junkies, either way you can't deny their intelligence (and I wouldn't presume to judge either lifestyle choice). The human animal has long been in denial about intelligence in other species but more of us are finally coming to grips with it. Most marine mammals have big brains, complex societies, highly developed communication systems and fascinating behaviors.

Cheap thrills matter (refer to the jaded, VR world above). We have always been fascinated by big predators, but how many of us get to see lions, tigers or bears in the wild regularly? Seals may have adorable doe eyes but look in their mouths and you'll find a set of pointy chompers that'll send a chill down your spine. Things that eat slippery fish need sharp teeth and the skulls of seals, sea lions and toothy whales are very impressive.

Big baleen whales aren't vegetarians either-they use that baleen to catch and gulp crustaceans and small fish. And let's not forget killer whales, particularly transient killer whales. Even ocean giants like blue whales and whale sharks are not safe from the teeth and body blows of Orcinus orca. These ten meter pack hunters are the most impressive predators left on the planet.

BACK TO THE SEA

Marine mammals are just that-hairy, air breathing, milk slurping mammals like ourselves that evolved on land. Some suffer from whale pattern baldness but even blue whales still have bits of hair. The difference is, when shallow marine food was abundant, their ancestors evolved to take advantage of it, spending more and more time in the sea. There are several general types that likely have different terrestrial ancestors:

• pinnipeds (Order Pinnepdia) include earless "true" seals like harbor and elephant seals as well as sea lions which have visible ears. Both still need land to rest and breed

• sea otters (Order Carnivora) are essentially weasels that have adapted almost completely to ocean life.

• toothed whales (Suborder Odontoceti) range from small porpoises to the unique sperm whale of Moby Dick fame.

• baleen whales (Suborder Mysticeti) use fingernail-like baleen rather than teeth to capture their small prey. The whales, dolphins and porpoises are collectively called cetaceans and no longer need land at all.

COMMERCIAL BREAK

Whatever our opinions on them over the years, marine mammals are big and fatty and have been exceedingly important to us as a resource. Many indigenous communities (worldwide) depended on them and controversies still boil over traditional whaling rights. Sea otter pelts spurred most early trips down the West Coast; whaling and sealing have sent men to sea for centuries. Even now, commercial whalewatching is becoming an important industry. Love'em or hate'em, you can't deny their economic importance.

WHO SPEAKS FOR THE SEAS?

The plight of plankton does not move us. Vanishing fish stocks seem only a concern to those who profit from them. But an orca in a tank in Mexico? An "abandoned" baby seal? Some unfortunate gray whales trapped in Alaskan ice? This is the stuff that grabs the public, sends local news folk scurrying and pries dollars from wallets.

Like it or not, the western world now loves marine mammals. So it makes sense to view them as miner's canaries, especially since most are apex predators and therefore good indicators of the health of an ecosystem. Killer whales helped lure my neighboring columnist Alex Morton to the Northwest and she has since become a passionate, literate and effective advocate for our entire coastal ecosystem, most notably wild salmon stocks.

And there is good news-after being hunted to near extinction, Pacific gray whales have bounced back. Transplanted sea otters are reclaiming areas they were exterminated from (including all of the BC coast). Despite bounties, pelt hunting and lots of angry bullets, most harbor seal populations certainly seem resilient. But other species, like the southern resident killer whales and northern sea lion populations, are declining for reasons we don't fully understand, reminding us all we need to do more to reduce our effects on the ocean.

Kayakers have special responsibilities towards marine mammals. In most ways we are relatively benign-we can't injure them with propellers or excessive speed, we don't pollute their water with gas or oil and we don't emit disruptive droning noises underwater. But we can approach haulout areas that most boats can't get close to. We can sneak up on mammals on land or in the water, startling them like no power boat can. It's worth remembering that for thousands of years, far longer than gas or steam engines have been around, most of our local marine mammals were hunted by paddlers in small, quiet boats.

Pinnipeds that are hauled out seem the most susceptible to disruption. Ideal or not, we can't completely avoid every seal on every rock on every trip. In busy areas they become more accustomed to us-they certainly get used to power boats. But it is important that we are all familiar with the latest guidelines for marine mammals, and try to minimize our effects on their behavior. Good luck with this issue's checklist-there are some amazing wildlife encounters to be had on it.

Toothy wildlife aficionado Bryan Nichols has had the honor of swimming with 3 species of wild dolphins, paddling or boating with this entire checklist and sticking suction cups on wild killer whales. ©

Checklist # 18 - Marine Mammals

HARBOR SEAL Phoca vitulina (swollen calflike) Harbor seals are the marine mammals we see the most. Hauled out on low rocks or staring from the water with liquid black eyes, these fish eating pinnipeds are loved by tourists and often loathed by human fishers and fish farmers. On land they are clumsy and nervous when kayaks approach, but in the water they will often follow with curiosity, hostility or some other motivation. In areas that don't get many paddlers I've had over forty accompany me for hundreds of meters.

ELEPHANT SEAL Mirounga Angustirostris (great nosed mirouroung) Male elephant seals visit BC from down south and can be recognized by their saggy necks and snouts. They are huge (to six meters), grouchy and absurdly ugly -why the much smaller and sleeker females are attracted to them is a wonder of nature I call the Brando Conundrum. You don't often see them hauled out here but might spot one floating vertically in the water like a massive deadhead. They are superb divers, capable of hunting for food over a kilometer deep.

California Sea Lion Zalophus Californianus (big crested) The small females are familiar as Hollywood's mis- named "seals", barking and balancing balls on their noses. We are more likely to see the big males, 2.5m predators with a lumpy forehead and impressive whiskers. They are surprisingly quick and can leap clear of the water, twisting in midair as they swim at high speed. Haulouts are noisy places and sea lions can be aggressive if you get too close.

Northern Sea Lion Eumetopias jubatus (maned, good brow) Also called the Steller sea lion, this species doesn't bark but does get really big-3m long and a metric ton of muscle and fur, way bigger than a grizzly. Hauled out or surfacing near your kayak, they are very impressive.

Sea Otter Enhydra lutris (water otter) These big fuzzy weasels have adapted well to the ocean, only going ashore to breed. Unlike our abundant river otters, sea otters are found mainly on the exposed coast-the ones in British Columbia were reintroduced from survivors in Alaska. Essential to healthy kelp beds, they eat a lot, munching a wide variety of invertebrates while floating on their backs in that adorable fashion you've seen on TV.

Harbor Porpoise Phocoena phocoena (seal like) Common but small (2m), shy and "low key", harbor porpoises don't jump or bow ride. If you see a small dark back and triangular dorsal fin it is probably a harbor porpoise-close encounters can happen but seem to be more luck than anything else.

Dall's Porpoise Phocoenoides dalli (dall's seal like) Often mistaken for "baby" killer whales, these get a bit bigger (2.2m) than harbor porpoises and have white on their dorsal fin and sides. They are speedy and "friendly", throwing white rooster tails of spray as they race alongside fast moving boats. Kayaks generally don't interest them much (unless you're a FAST paddler) but if you spot porpoises watch for the ridge near their tail as they dive-they were called "broken back" whales because of it.

Pacific White Sided Dolphin Lagenorhynchus obliquidens (slanting toothed bottle nosed) Oh my this is a fun critter. Fast, beautiful, energetic and "playful", everyone should experience a big group of lags. They love bowriding, constantly leap clear of the water and even cavort with snorkelers and divers, truly a magnificent experience. For reasons no one is sure of, huge groups have been venturing into the Port Hardy region, perhaps following schools of small fish or squid.

Killer Whale Orcinus orca (hell fiend or hell fish) Whether you prefer to call this large dolphin a killer (it's one of the world's best) or an orca (which has demonic connotations that seals and salmon would likely agree with), there's no denying their beauty and power to fascinate. Intelligent, social and awe inspiring to watch from a small boat, they have become symbols of the Northwest, helping to galvanize public opinion in favor of ocean conservation. Traveling inmatriarchal pods, there are at least two distinct types that kayakers regularly see-the popular fish eaters in Johnstone Strait and the San Juans, plus the more elusive (and not so cutesy) "transients" that hunt everything else on this checklist, especially seals.

Gray Whale Eschrichtius robustus (strong) Exterminated in the Atlantic and nearly wiped out here, fifteen meter gray whales have enjoyed a robustus recovery. Often traveling or feeding right next to shore, they are great for whalewatchers and kayakers alike. Most make a huge Bering to Baja migration every year but some summer around Vancouver Island.

Minke Whale Balaenoptera acutorostrata (sharp snout wing whale) Paddlers in the the San Juans and Gulf Islands are occasionally surprised by sightings of this small (10m) rorqual, a close relative of giants like the blue and fin whales found much further offshore. Though usually just a loud breath and a small dark fin, you might get lucky and see them lunge feeding. Ask around as there are definite hot spots to spot them.

Humpback Whale Megaptera novaeangliae (big winged new englander) The best baleen whalewatching whale was unfortunately whaled right out of the Strait of Georgia. Threatened worldwide, they have yet to repopulate our most popular kayaking areas, which is a great pity because these 15 meter leviathans jump, wave their big fins, bubble/lunge feed, lift their majestic tails and even sing. Lucky paddlers from Johnstone Strait north occasionally spot them-the rest of us are waiting, hoping, and trying not togrumble at our harpoon happy ancestors.

© Bryan Nichols 2001. No reproduction without permission of the author.