Category Archives: Infractions

Coast Guard chopper landed :young were scattered about and subsequently attacked

Posted on by
Thursday, August 15, 2002
Good Evening
TEMPERATURE: Max. 16.0 C Min. 9.9 C  Reset 11.0 C
MARINE LIFE: A few more sea lions arrived during the night, total count approx. 70 California and 11 Northern. The Californian branded # 62 spent most of the day hauled out on the end of the dock, a bit of a loner. At 09:20 a Coast Guard chopper landed on the grass next to the south side of the tower, the adult gulls flew off but the young were scattered about and subsequently attacked by some adults. A call to Coast Guard has remedied the problem- in future we will give them a reminder heads-up at the start and end of nesting season. Thank you Marc and Phil.The 7 geese made a short- about 1 hour – visit just after 6 this morning.
HUMAN INTERACTION:There were 24 Ecotour boats, 3 pleasure craft and 2 Zodiac Military Police boats through the reserve today. Unfortuately the 2 military and 1 ecotour boat the ‘Tsunami’ breached the ‘no wake’ policy, passed this info on to D.F.O.
posted by Carol or Mike S at 6:45 PM
Good Morning
WEATHER: Sky Clear  Vis. 10 Miles Wind Calm Sea Rippled
posted by Carol or Mike S at 6:01 AM

 

a group taking fish just off shore on the west side of Gr. Race

Posted on by
Sunday, August 11, 2002
Good Evening
TEMPERATURE: Max. 19.1 C  Min. 7.3 C  Reset 12.5 C
MARINE LIFE: The geese, 1 adult and the 5 young, flew in late this morning and stayed around until about 16:00, then headed over towards Pedder Bay.They still come every day but there is really not much for them to eat, I expect they will eventually stop coming altogether any day now.We are used to the ‘barking’ sea lions all night, but the 30+ gulls landing and taking off from the roof still wake us often, why they fly at night I don’t know but they are noisy.
HUMAN INTERACTION: There was one dive boat, 6 Ecotour boats and 9 pleasure craft in the reserve today. Unfortunately there are still sports fishers who have either not familiarized themselves with the fishing regulations or are just ignoring them but today, because the tide was too low to launch the station boat we had to call Chris to come out in the Hyaku from the campus to speak with a group taking fish just off shore on the west side of Gr. Race. It is the responsibility of people to be informed of the current regulations as stated in the Tidal Waters Sports Fishing Guide issued by Fisheries and Oceans Canada.Race Rocks is a Marine Protected Area and is a no take Zone.The monitoring policy is that if you are seen fishing we will ask that you move out of the area and any fish caught be thrown back, your boat registration and/or operator’s name recorded and submitted to Fisheries. The boat in Question today is 14K 29105.
posted by Carol or Mike S at 6:14 PM
Good Morning
WEATHER: Sky Part Cloudy �� Vis 15 Miles �� Wind West 5 Knots �� Sea Rippled
posted by Carol or Mike S at 5:43 AM

here’s an idea: don’t give a tour in thick fog.

Posted on by
Friday, August 09, 2002
Good Evening
TEMPERATURE: Max. 20.0 C Min. 10.5 C  Reset 16.2 C
MARINE LIFE: The Canadian Geese returned again today, still without the one adult. I first heard the one adult honking and then looked up to see the 6 geese near Mike and Carol’s home. Orcas may very well have gone by the reserve today, but with the fog followed by glare on the waves throughout the day, I could only see a lot of boat traffic.
HUMAN INTERACTION: 34 tour boats through the reserve today, many boats toured the reserve early today in the thick fog. With visibility severely limited, many pushed too close to the islands under current regulations. As well, with so many boats and so little visibility, some tight maneuvering on the part of some parties to get out of the way of others was needed… here’s an idea: don’t give a tour in thick fog. At a quarter to 4 one tour zodiac decided to disregard the no-wake regulation and sped past Great Race, an unfortunate incident not repeated by other tour boats today.
posted by Ryan Murphy at 7:19 PM
Good Morning
WEATHER: Partly Obscured Vis. 10 Miles – South East To West 1/2 Mile Fog  Wind West 23 Knots  Sea 3 Foot Moderate
posted by Carol or Mike S at 5:29 AM

The was a lot of boat traffic, mostly recreational fishers, in the area all day

Posted on by

 

Sunday, July 21, 2002
Good Evening
TEMPERATURE: Max. 23.0 C  Min. 10.3 C  Reset 14.5 C
MARINE LIFE:The Orca were in the area again today and with the boat from Marine Mammal monitoring the whale watchers, things seemed well under control. Did hear some boat operators report sightings of a couple of Minke Whales but did not see anything in or near the reserve. A couple of transient Orcas passed through just on the southern boundary in the afternoon, they seemed to be moving fairly steady pace. The was a lot of boat traffic, mostly recreational fishers, in the area all day. One California and one Northern sealion hauled out on the south tip of the southeast rocks, unfortunately a rental boat from a marina moved in too close and sent them into the water. Ryan who had a group out for a tour in the Hyaku went along side and informed the sightseers of the guidelines. Feel sorry for the birds in this hot weather,they all sit around with their beaks open, panting – didn’t even get the evening westerly we look forward to cool things down.
HUMAN INTERACTION: 23 ecotour boats and 11 pleasure craft through today,also the Hyaku, M3 and station boat to Pedder Bay and Back
posted by Carol or Mike S at 8:17 PM

Good Morning

WEATHER: Sky Clear �� Vis. 15 Miles �� Wind North East 8 Knots �� Sea Rippled
posted by Carol or Mike S at 4:59 AM

37 ecotour boats through the reserve

Posted on by
Friday, July 19, 2002
Good Evening
TEMPERATURE: Max. 17.1 C  Min. 11.2 C  Reset 13.5
MARINE LIFE: There are a fair number of gull chicks surviving inspite of the relentless attempts to hunt by the eagles during the day and the otter which continues to make the nightly tour of the island.The young geese are doing a lot of wing flapping, building the muscles they will need to fly off, soon we hope, as the food situation is not the best for them now.The Orcas were in the area again today but did not come through the reserve, they were heading west and spent some time in the mouth of Pedder Bay, feeding in the kelp beds there although it was hard to tell as the wind was blowing 20-25 knts. and the sea quite choppy. There was the usual flotilla following along, included in the group was the inflatable from the Marine Mammal Monitoring program which had to stop one pleasure craft and advise them of the whale watching guidelines.The pleasure craft was traveling in the path of the whales either unaware or in spite of the presence of the mammals.
HUMAN INTERACTION: there were 37 ecotour boats through the reserve and 5 pleasure craft. The station boat made a trip to Pedder Bay and back.
posted by Carol or Mike S at 10:02 PM
Good Morning
WEATHER: Sky Cloudy Vis. 15 Miles  Wind West 19 Knots  Sea 2 Foot Chop
posted by Carol or Mike S at 5:25 AM

Kayakers approach so quietly they can startle the wildlife-

Posted on by
Thursday, July 18, 2002
Good Evening
TEMPERATURE: Max. 16.1 C  10.7 C  Reset 14.3 C
posted by Carol or Mike S at 6:15 PM
Good Morning
WEATHER: Sky Overcast  Vis. 15 Miles Wind South West 10 Knots  Sea Rippled
posted by Carol or Mike S at 5:03 AM
Wednesday, July 17, 2002
Good Evening
TEMPERATURE: Max. 16.0 C  Min. 11.0 C Reset 12.1 C  Rain tr
MARINE LIFE: Was nice for a change not to have the wind today,don’t mind the clouds, certainly good weather for the chicks- not too hot.The food supply seems to be holding out see lots of nice fresh fish being brought back by the gulls and everywhere you look Pigeon Guillemots returning with blennies. Some of the gulls are going quite a distance at times judging by the clam shells rolling off the roof ! They drop the clams onto roof and the sidewalks to break them open,quite noisey and very messy.
HUMAN INTERACTION: The Hyaku was in this morning,Ryan brought some mail and supplies from the college Ryan brought a group through the reserve in 2nd Nature in the afternoon but did not come ashore. This morning there were a couple of kayakers through and unfortunately they ignored the guidelines with respect to staying the proper distance from shore. This time of the year it is particularly important to follow the guidelines so as not to interfere with feeding birds and harbour seals with pups and those about to give birth.The noise from power boats at least give fair warning but kayakers approach so quietly they can startle the wildlife-please remember maintain at least 100 metres from any marine animal or bird and back off at the first sign of disturbance or agitation.
posted by Carol or Mike S at 6:35 PM
Good Mornng
WEATHER: Sky Cloudy  Vis 15 Miles  Wind West South West 15 Knots Sea 1 Foot Chop
posted by Carol or Mike S at 5:01 AM

There are 6 females with pups in the east bay area, 4 with red umbilical cords so very new but swimming like pros,

Posted on by
Sunday, July 07, 2002
Good Evening
TEMPERATURE: Max. 20.0 C Min. 10.5 C  Reset 12.0 C  Rain 0.4 mm
MARINE LIFE: There are 6 females with pups in the east bay area, 4 with red umbilical cords so very new but swimming like pros, they do have some awkwardness while trying to pull themselves up onto the rocks, several tries and they make it to be rewarded with a good feed! The dead pup is still by the boat ramp, the mother has not left it’s side and continues to be very protective.There were three bald eagles this afternoon ( 1 mature ) which managed to land on the southeast rocks in spite of the gulls. The 2 juvenile eagles were fighting over some very bright red matter that looked like seal placenta,the adult raptor watched for about 10 minutes from about 20 metres then made it’s move towards the two juveniles which backed off immediately and surrendered the prize scraps.The gulls were just too bothersome so the big bird took off flying low over the water with the ‘food’ clutched tightly in it’s talons, the gulls did not give up the chase until they were well past North Rocks.
HUMAN INTERACTION: A fairly quiet day considering the water was so calm and a weekend. There were 5 pleasure craft and 9 ecotour boats, 2 dive charters -one that came through at 16:30 full speed and too close, left at about 17:40 again full speed, both times leaving a large wake! Will pass the boat registration number along to fisheries.
posted by Carol or Mike S at 6:11 PM
Good Morning
WEATHER: Sky Cloudy  Vis. 15 Miles Wind West 5 Knots  Sea Rippled
posted by Carol or Mike S at 5:09 AM

Pigeon Guillemots diving for blennies today

Posted on by
Tuesday, July 02, 2002
Good Evening
TEMPERATURE: Max. 15.1 C  Min. 9.2 C Reset 11.9 C
MARINE LIFE:There were more Pigeon Gillemots diving for blennies today ,before long there will be a constant stream of adults to sea and back with food for the chicks.No Eagles until near 20:00 then one mature made several attempts at low flights over Gr. Race but was kept away by the gulls and Oyster Catchers.The gulls have the advantage in numbers but the oyster catchers are tenacious and to my eye sometimes get too close to the eagle when they dip and dive at it’s head, they are so agile and fast.We should be seeing Harbour seal pups any day now, as of yet the 7 or 8 females that usually haul out on the boat ramp to give birth have not turned up .A fantastic sunset tonight -maybe a good omen ‘ red sky at night’………? Would be nice to be rid of the wind ! but shouldn’t complain, better than sweltering in the heat wave back east.
HUMAN INTERACTION: 4 ecotour boats, 7 pleasure craft some on their way to the halibut grounds just outside the M.P.A. boundaries 1 white inflatable # 2H79606 with divers, too fast and too close to shore,disturbed feeding birds.
posted by Carol or Mike S at 7:05 PM
Good Morning
WEATHER: Sky Part Cloudy  Vis. 15 Miles Wind West 13 Knots Sea Rippled to 1 Foot Chop
posted by Carol or Mike S at 5:29 AM
Monday, July 01, 2002
Good Evening
TEMPERATURE: Max. 13.3 C  Min. 9.9 C Reset 13.3 C
posted by Carol or Mike S at 6:02 PM
Good Morning
WEATHER: Sky Part Clouldy   Vis. 15 Miles  Wind West 16 Knots  Sea 1 Foot Chop
posted by Carol or Mike S at 5:17 AM

It takes a lot of energy to feed three chicks with both adults taking turns.

Posted on by
Friday, June 21, 2002
Good Evening
TEMPERATURE: Max. 18.0 C Min. 9.9 C  Reset 13.3 C
THE DAY: Clear Vis. 15 Miles  Wind North West Light 15:35 West 27 Knots Sea Rippled 16:00 2′ to 3 foot Chop
MARINE LIFE: Another good weather day! although the wind did pick up in the late afternoon. The Oyster Catchers are busy gathering food for the chicks some of which are as big as the adults but not very nimble just yet and do a lot more falling off rocks than hopping from one to another. The oldest chicks from the nest in the east bay area are starting to pick at snails etc. at the low tides but most of their success is mostly good luck – problem with attention span and anyway the mainstay of their diet is still being provided by the parents.Chicks beaks are still dark coloured at the tips and much paler orange on the rest so are easily distinguished from the adults.It takes a lot of energy to feed three chicks with both adults taking turns.When the tide is low the food is relatively close by but as the tide rises the adults have to fly farther to find chitons, mussels, snails and the like.Watched for 1 hour after the tide had covered the accessible food areas near the chicks and the adult was foraging several hundred metres away on the southeast rocks -in that hour the adult made 13 return trips –sometimes it took only 30-40 seconds to find food and return but often it took over a minute to come up with the appropriate food item.That’s a lot of trips a day one limpet, snail,mussel, etc. at a time and also a lot of energy prying the aforesaid creatures off the rocks!
HUMAN INTERACTION: Second Nature out with group for tour and dropped Ryan off to relieve while we did some errands in town.Ryan reported that a group in a rental boat breached the guildlines by landing 2 people on middle rock and they were harassing the elephant seals that were hauled out. There is a policy of no landing on the islands except by obtaining a permit from B.C. Parks – fortunately most people would not think of disturbing the marine animals like this but there is always 1( in this case 2) in every crowd!!
posted by at 7:42 PM
Good Morning
WEATHER: Sky Clear Vis. 15 Miles  Wind North West 4 Knots Sea Rippled
posted by at 5:19 AM

The divers observed a new species of Nudibranch

Posted on by

Saturday, June 08, 2002

TEMPERATURE: Max. 13.7C  Min. 8 C  Reset 11.5 C
MARINE LIFE: The Gulls have had a calm day with no visits by bald eagles. One Sea lion appeared on the boat ramp this afternoon. The divers observed a new species of Nudibranch at around 10m.
HUMAN IMPACT: The divers finished the repairs to the conduit in the afternoon. Three ecotourist boats were spotted in the reserve and one pleasure craft was spotted speeding right through the reserve.
posted by at 10:48 PM

Good Morning
WEATHER: Sky Partly Cloudy  Vis. 8miles Wind From West 15knots  Sea 1 foot chop
posted by at 5:39 AM