Category Archives: Infractions

Animal Census First Sea Otter at Race Rocks

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Sea Otter in race ROcks Kelp Beds, photo by Adam Bird

Sea Otter in Race Rocks Kelp Beds, photo by Adam Bird on June 10/2012

Things have been fairly quite lately regarding birds and mammals here, though one of the eco-tour boats reported seeing a Sea Otter (Enhydra lutris) in a kelp bed on Monday! The percussive blasts from Rocky Point military testing range scared off most of the Sea Lions last Thursday and only a few have returned in the last couple days. A large pod of orca passed through and near the reserve on Tuesday. Thanks to Suna, Doris and Ishmael for the census.

Elephant Seals: about 10
Steller Sea Lions: 2
California Sea Lions: 2
Harbour Seals: 204
Glaucous-winged Gull: 246
Surfbirds: 18
Pigeon Guillemots: 108
Canada Goose: 13
Bald Eagle: 3
Black Oystercatcher: 12
Northwestern Crow: 1
Raven: 1
Sparrow: 4
Sea Otter: 1
Caspian Terns: 6
Herring Gulls: 20

Weekend Tallies

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I lost track of the number of visits by tour boats this long weekend. It was at least 50. An orca pod hard been somewhere off Sooke so all the boats went through and visited on the way back. Sunday afternoon the pod transited the edge of the reserve heading East towards Trial Island and Victoria. Consequently there have only been about 5 boats here today (the rain and fog might be contributing to that number). I had to phone one of the operators as one of their new operators was oblivious to the guidelines here in the reserve. They apologized and promised to have a word with him.

I asked a pleasure fish boat to cease fishing in the reserve, and he was happy to comply. Ignorance is so often a factor in issues of conservation and human impact.

I was lucky enough to see, but not photograph a Red Knot. This unusual shorebird is an infrequent visitor to our shore and is likely migrating to above the Arctic Circle. Several other unidentified solitary shorebirds have also been seen, and more California Sea Lions are showing up. The rain is much appreciated as no more than a few millimetres have fallen in almost 2 months.

Moulting Time

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There are about 8-10 young and mostly moulting elephant seals in the reserve at this time. Between four and six have been lounging on the pier creating obstacles for the group of 10  students that spent the weekend here. The grumpy infected girl at the end of the dock made all of us clamber around the outside of the rail to get to and from the boat. Today I thought she looked a bit better. There appears to be an object imbedded in her lower palate; perhaps a barb or spine from a fish she was hunting. I hope it works it’s way out in time. Presumably elephant seals are pretty durable creatures… we will keep a close eye on her recuperation.

The students did a great job of weeding the scotch thistles from around the tower.

There are plenty of Pigeon Guillemots and Black Oystercatcher pairs on the island, with a few Harlequin ducks and Rhinoceros Auklets just offshore. The Harbour Seals should start giving birth soon. There is a large pregnant female on the foreshore near the engine room.

3 rental boats entered the reserve and broke all the rules for respectable human decorum here. I called the marina and they quickly responded by phoning the renters to warn them of their infractions. I was happy to see them promptly exit the reserve and head off towards the military ballistics range.

Marine Traffic and Blasting

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Marine traffic in the reserve has increased over the last 2 weeks with vessels in the reserve almost on a daily basis now.  For the most part they respect the DFO’s requested speed limit of less than 7 knots within 400 meters of the rocks.  It appears that the requested marine mammal viewing distance of at least 100 meters generally does not hold much weight, though it is sometimes challenging to judge distances.   There aren’t very many sea lions yet so less incentive to get very close.  While there is a juvenile elephant seal learning to swim in the reserve we are being extra cautious about boat traffic.

Personal Watercrafts in the reserve

Saturday, March 24: 4 vessels including 1 private, 1 ecotour and 2 personal water crafts (PWCs).  The PWCs came into the reserve around 1600 well in excess of the 7 knot speed limit creating a lot of noise and causing the sea lion on the South islands to exit the rocks for the water.  These vessels generally do not carry radios (or if they do they wouldn’t be able to hear them anyway), their ID is next to impossible to see, and they likely are not aware of DFO guidelines.

Monday, appear to be within 100 meters of elephant seals on middle rock

Sunday, March 25: 3 vessels including 2 eco tour, 1 private.  The ecotour vessel Constance operated by Prince of Whales exited the reserve Sunday afternoon from the South side of the island.  They appeared to accelerate beyond 7 knots within 400 meters of Great Race.  I established radio contact with them on marine VHF channel 79 to let them know and request that they follow the DFO’s guidelines.  The vessel operator believed he been beyond 400 m, I appreciated their cooperation.

Monday, March 26: 5 ecotour vessels.

Tuesday, March 27: Strong E wind and swell, no vessels.  DND raised their red flags to signal blasting.  I went off island to take the station whaler in for maintenance and repairs so did not record any blasts.

Thursday, again, appear to be within 100 meters of elephant seals on middle rock

Wednesday, March 28: 3 ecotour vessels including one I haven’t seen before, the King Salmon operated by Great Pacific Adventures.  This was the loudest and most polluting diesel vessel i have seen in the reserve, I could smell it on Great Race and it left a haze behind it.  DND blasts recorded at 1004 (heavy), 1009 (medium), 1018 (light).

Thursday, March 29: 2 ecotour vessels.

Friday, March 30: 3 ecotour vessels including one called the Jin Jang I haven’t seen before.

Marine Vessel Traffic

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On Friday the eco-tour vessel Luna operated by BC Whale Tours entered the reserve around 16:00 hrs.

On Saturday a private vessel # WN3603RP passed through the reserve in the afternoon.  It appeared to be traveling over the speed limit of 7 knots as it departed the reserve.

Pinnacle Scuba Adventure dive boat off of Middle Rocks

Today dive boats from Pinnacle Scuba Adventures  and Ogden Point Dive Centre brought divers into the reserve.  Around noon a private vessel # BC1752393 entered the reserve coming from the direction of Victoria.  It appeared to be traveling over the speed limit of 7 knots and passed near a diver who was close to the surface.  I was unable to get a response from them on the VHF radio.  Around 1500 hrs a Prince of Whales eco tour vessel passed through the reserve.

Visit to island- eco-reserve warden update

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Julien and I went out to the island to go over the various mechanical and recording systems on the island with Alex for the purpose of possibly  developing  an improved electronic data-logging system.
Many large blasts were noted throughout the morning  from the DND ordinance disposal pit on Rocky Point. Gulls on South west corner were dispersed on one of the blasts.
Material to be sent back for recycling was loaded by winch on the boat and Erik and Jake brought us back to the college. They picked us up in the afternoon bringing back the station whaler having undergone repairs over the last few weeks. Erik drove Julien and I in a rather rough return ride in the rigid hull inflatable which has been the substitute boat at the island.
Jake stayed out with Alex to work on the refitting of angle brackets on the solar panels on the roof of the energy building over the next few days. These are intended to increase efficiency by giving more of an angled tilt to the south.
Camera 1 panorama picture was redone to give better ability to click on the panorama image for control of camera.
I noted that a dozen or more of the introduced (non-migratory) strain of Canada geese still persist on the island. Their grazing in the area of the first nations burial cairns remains to be a problem as soil erosion is obvious. I have suggested that we might put up several netted enclosures to document the impact of their grazing.
5 dead immature glaucous -winged gulls were noted on various parts of the island, A full count is pending. This is probably from normal; fall mortality of new birds. On top of the south rocks today, 100 cormorants, probably double  crested lined the ridge.

Garry Fletcher- ecological reserve warden

orcas sighted again

Aside

The elephant seal was pretty vocal last night but there was no sign or sound of him today.  Yesterday at sunset I think I saw the horned owl on top of the flag pole. This morning several Bald Eagles were rounding up the gulls on great race.  Before noon a vessel from Pinnacle Divers came into the reserve.  They did a dive near the jetty and a second one off of the E rocks.  While unloading divers near the jetty the boat accidentally contacted the kelp bed off the NW side of the jetty.  I contacted the company by phone and left a message.  Around 14:00 hrs a Prince of Whales vessel entered the reserve.  There were around 30 Northern Sealions hauled out on N Rock.  On the vessels approach to N Rock some sealions exited into the water.  I contacted the company by phone and spoke with a staff member.   Around 14:30 hrs 3 or more Orcas approached the reserve from the SW passing W of the reserve heading N.  Have been gathering scrap wood, propane tanks, garbage etc. today for offloading tomorrow with a boat trip from the college planned for the morning.

Boats in the Ecological Reserve: November 2011

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The raw boat data below was taken from the old logs of the Ecoguardian . It has been transferred to this new log. .. GF

‘2011-01-09’, ‘Other’, 1, ‘VMRS rescue boat (Station 35?) was performing maneuvers in Pedder Bay, Race Passage, and in the Ecological Reserve today.’, ‘Ryan’, ’11:53:03′),
‘2011-01-24’, ‘Eco-Tour’, 1, ‘eagle wing around 1600, looked pretty close to one of the West rocks’, ‘AlexF’, ’19:20:04′),
‘2011-02-02’, ‘Eco-Tour’, 1, ‘Eagle Wing around 17:00’, ‘AlexF’, ’07:59:30′),
‘2011-02-02’, ‘Pleasure’, 1, ‘Boat named Ocean Dream #15k4502 approached island from NE around 15:00.  Came close to main island then went around to the smaller islands on the east side and approached sea lions causing them to retreat into the water. Ryan was in Hyaku so went over and was able to send them on their way.’, ‘AlexF’, ’08:03:08′),
‘2011-02-05’, ‘Eco-Tour’, 1, ‘princess of whales around 15:30\r\n’, ‘AlexF’, ’16:02:29′),
‘2011-04-09’, ‘Eco-Tour’, 4, ‘A new Orca Spirit Adventures vessel visited the reserve today. The Orca Spirit II is the largest vessel I have witnessed enter the reserve.  It maneuvered between North and Great Race Rocks before going through the narrow channel between Great and Middle Race Rocks and exiting the reserve. ‘, ‘Ryan’, ’18:04:37′),
‘2011-05-01’, ‘Eco-Tour’, 6, ”, ‘Adam’, ’07:11:29′),
‘2011-05-01’, ‘Pleasure’, 2, ”, ‘Adam’, ’07:11:38′),
‘2011-05-02’, ‘Eco-Tour’, 10, ”, ‘adam’, ’07:39:43′),
‘2011-05-22’, ‘Pleasure’, 3, ‘At 1953hrs a vessel entered the west side of the Reserve at high speed. The vessel slowed down once well inside to view sea lions on Middle Rock then proceeded to maneuver unnecessarily through the main channel before doubling back for another pass at the sea lions before speeding out. The vessel was named Chinook Spirit registered to Campbell River and with licence number C03790BC. ‘, ‘Adam’, ’21:39:12′),
‘2011-05-23’, ‘Eco-Tour’, 20, ”, ‘Adam’, ’21:38:15′),
‘2011-05-23’, ‘Pleasure’, 5, ”, ‘Adam’, ’21:38:40′),
‘2011-05-22’, ‘Eco-Tour’, 10, ”, ‘Adam’, ’21:39:21′),
‘2011-05-22’, ‘Diving’, 1, ”, ‘Adam’, ’21:39:30′),
‘2011-07-05’, ‘Eco-Tour’, 6, ”, ‘Adam’, ’16:37:32′),
‘2011-07-05’, ‘Pleasure’, 1, ”, ‘Adam’, ’16:59:13′),
(777, ‘2011-07-06’, ‘Pleasure’, 1, ”, ‘Adam’, ’11:22:09′),
(778, ‘2011-07-06’, ‘Eco-Tour’, 0, ”, ‘Adam’, ’07:53:16′),
(779, ‘2011-07-09’, ‘Eco-Tour’, 20, ”, ‘Adam’, ’21:21:10′),
(780, ‘2011-07-09’, ‘Pleasure’, 6, ”, ‘Adam’, ’18:56:52′),
(781, ‘2011-07-09’, ‘Diving’, 2, ”, ‘Adam’, ’15:04:21′),
(782, ‘2011-07-15’, ‘Pleasure’, 1, ”, ‘Adam’, ’16:45:52′),
(783, ‘2011-07-15’, ‘Eco-Tour’, 15, ”, ‘Adam’, ’16:45:59′),
(784, ‘2011-07-25’, ‘Pleasure’, 0, ”, ‘Adam’, ’16:48:16′),
(785, ‘2011-07-25’, ‘Eco-Tour’, 0, ”, ‘Adam’, ’16:48:24′),
(786, ‘2011-08-01’, ‘Pleasure’, 10, ”, ‘Adam’, ’20:56:00′),
(787, ‘2011-08-01’, ‘Eco-Tour’, 5, ”, ‘Adam’, ’20:56:11′),
(788, ‘2011-08-11’, ‘Pleasure’, 7, ”, ‘Adam’, ’19:50:33′),
(789, ‘2011-08-11’, ‘Eco-Tour’, 30, ”, ‘Adam’, ’19:50:37′),
(790, ‘2011-11-08’, ‘Eco-Tour’, 1, ‘Eagle Wing Serengeti came through and went very close to sea lions on north rock’, ‘AlexF’, ’15:51:23′),
(791, ‘2011-11-19’, ‘Diving’, 1, ‘Ogden Point Dive Group 10:15’, ‘AlexF’, ’10:37:50′);

Boats in the Ecological Reserve 2011

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‘2011-01-26′, ’12:08:45’, ‘Disruption’, ‘Plane’, ‘n/a’, ‘A commercial float plane made low-altitude overflights both away and towards Victoria.  A photo was captured on the return flight and the company’s management informed of the infraction.’, ‘Ryan’, ’12:08:36′),
‘2011-02-18′, ’14:19:48’, ‘Disruption’, ‘Boat’, ”, ‘Eagle Wing passing through, disrupted 10- 15 sealions on South East Rock, all took to the water as the vessel approached within 100m. ‘, ‘Raisa’, ’14:23:12′),
‘2011-02-19′, ’12:43:04’, ‘Disruption’, ‘Other’, ”, ‘Visiting students got too close to the male elephant seal that was moving around the Science Centre today at noon.  I observed them with the remote camera #1 and reiterated our non-interference policy.’, ‘Ryan’, ’12:44:14′),
‘2011-02-28′, ’08:41:58’, ‘Disruption’, ‘Plane’, ‘n/a’, ‘What I believe was the same plane made two low passes (W then E) over the Reserve in less than an hour this morning.  It was a small commercial sea plane without wheels on the pontoons.’, ‘Ryan’, ’08:42:59′),
(95, ‘2011-03-04′, ’09:08:44’, ‘Disruption’, ‘Boat’, ‘C-GHZP’, ‘A Pat Bay Air completing marine mammal surveys for DFO flew low through the reserve alerting a Steller Sea Lion and disturbing seabirds.’, ‘Ryan’, ’16:09:48′),
(96, ‘2011-03-15′, ’13:57:50’, ‘Speed’, ‘Boat’, ‘POW’, ‘A wildlife viewing vessel from Victoria sped through the reserve SE->NW to meet up with another POW zodiac in Race Passage.’, ‘Ryan’, ’13:59:45′),
ENTERED in LOG-(97, ‘2011-03-22′, ’11:50:03’, ‘Too Close’, ‘Other’, ‘2 kayaks’, ‘Two gentlemen, one wearing orange in a black kayak the other wearing red in a yellow kayak entered the reserve to surf the strong ebb currents.  Their course took them within 1m of the rocks, grazing submerged rocks on the E side of Great Race.  Their recreational activities disturbed  Harlequin ducks (6), Pigeon guillemots (21), and Black Oystercatchers (2) who were foraging in this area.’, ‘Ryan’, ’11:53:53′),
(98, ‘2011-04-03′, ’13:23:01’, ‘Speed’, ‘Boat’, ‘on record’, ‘A fishing vessel sped through the reserve both to and from the halibut fishing area SE of the reserve.’, ‘Ryan’, ’09:23:59′),
(99, ‘2011-04-03′, ’15:24:02’, ‘Too Close’, ‘Boat’, ‘EW’, ‘Photos of this vessel violating professional and federal ecotour guidelines are on record.’, ‘Ryan’, ’09:25:13′),
(100, ‘2011-04-06′, ’15:19:17’, ‘Fishing’, ‘Boat’, ‘Five Star Superc’, ‘This ecotour vessel sped through the southern and western areas of the reserve before appropriately slowing below 7 knots to enter the channel between Middle and West Rocks, then Middle and Great Race Rocks.’, ‘Ryan’, ’15:20:55′),
(101, ‘2011-05-01′, ’10:00:00’, ‘Too Close’, ‘Plane’, ‘Pat Bay Air C-FG’, ‘Cessna plane, 1 pob. Flew low over the SW corner of Race then out over the Strait. Five seals were hauled out on the rocks directly beneath the flyover. ‘, ‘Adam’, ’07:10:30′),
(102, ‘2011-05-02′, ’15:57:53’, ‘Speed’, ‘Boat’, ‘Victoria Fire De’, ‘Yesterday morning (2 May 2011) at 1045hrs PDT, Victoria Fire Rescue Boat #1 entered Race Rocks Ecological Reserve (refer to CHS Chart 3461) at a speed greater than 7 knots. The vessel entered the SW corner of the Reserve, proceeded to travel along the northern side of West Race Rock and North Race Rock within the limits of the BC Ecological Reserve, exited at the NE corner and headed towards Victoria Harbour. \r\n\r\nDeputy Chief Paul Bruce of the Victoria Fire Department was notified of the infraction via email.’, ‘Adam’, ’15:59:24′),
(103, ‘2011-05-05′, ’15:50:12’, ‘Fishing’, ‘Boat’, ’25K 5588′, ‘At approximately 1200hrs 5 May 2011, a white fibreglass vessel entered the Reserve at high speed in the channel between Middle Rock and North Rock. The vessel, with three beer-consuming persons on board, proceeded to fish around North Rock for two hours before moving to the northeastern side of Great Race. Fishing continued at this location for approximately one half hour until the vessel motored at high speed back to the channel between North and Middle Race. Fishing began again and continued for approximately one quarter hour before the vessel departed at high speed in the direction of Victoria Harbour.\r\n\r\nAttempts were made to hail the vessel on VHF 68 and VHF 16. Calls were not returned.\r\n\r\nThis incident was reported to the DFO Fisheries Violation Reporting Hotline.’, ‘Adam’, ’15:58:14′),
(104, ‘2011-05-13′, ’20:42:46’, ‘Fishing’, ‘Boat’, ‘OBMG Rental Boat’, ‘A boat with four persons of Asian descent this morning entered the Reserve at approximately 0815hrs PDT. The vessel began to fish on the western side of Great Race before moving to the northern fringe of the Reserve. At approximately 1030hrs PDT the RR station boat was launched to head into PC and the Guardians slowed to photograph the violators while passing by. Coincidentally, and thanks to a call by the Guardians to Pedder Bay Marina, a PBM staff boat had arrived on scene to discipline the violators. The incident was resolved when the boat left the Reserve at approximately 1045hrs PDT.’, ‘Adam’, ’20:47:18′),
(105, ‘2011-05-13′, ’20:47:21’, ‘Fishing’, ‘Boat’, ‘OBMG Rental Boat’, ‘At approximately 1630hrs PDT, a rental boat was spotted fishing on the western fringe of the Reserve. As the RR station boat was already on the water to supervise a dive, the vessel was approached and the violators were educated about the RCA restrictions. The incident was resolved when the vessel departed the RCA. ‘, ‘Adam’, ’21:02:04′),
(106, ‘2011-05-13′, ’21:05:27’, ‘Fishing’, ‘Boat’, ‘BC2817713’, ‘At approximately 1915hrs PDT, a zodiac RHIB was spotted fishing on the western side of Great Race. The incident was resolved when the station vessel was launched and the violators were asked to leave.’, ‘Adam’, ’21:07:23′),
(107, ‘2011-05-13′, ’21:07:27’, ‘Fishing’, ‘Boat’, ‘4G14098’, ‘At 1915hrs PDT an aluminum runabout was spotted fishing on the western side of West Race. The station vessel was launched and the vessel was asked to leave. As they pulled up their lines, a lingcod was brought up on one of the lines. It was released as the POB stated they were practicing catch and release. The incident was resolved when the vessel departed the Reserve.’, ‘Adam’, ’21:09:34′),
‘2011-09-22′, ’16:40:29’, ‘Too Close’, ‘Plane’, ‘C-GBSR’, ‘Low E to W flight over the N half of the reserve’, ‘Ryan’, ’08:24:58′),
‘2011-10-20′, ’14:04:17’, ‘Disruption’, ‘Boat’, ‘Prince of Whales’, ‘This boat approached North Race and displaced 75 Brandt and Pelagic cormorants.’, ‘Ryan’, ’14:05:03′),
‘2011-10-28′, ’13:16:30’, ‘Fishing’, ‘Other’, ‘na’, ‘bc’, ‘Ryan’, ’13:16:42′);

Sea lion juvenile

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As Ecological Reserve Warden,  I was concerned with the report of continued blasting by the DND given the recent noting of a nursing northern sea lion at Race Rocks. The following is an account of the concern, starting with an e-mail and pictures from the Ecoguardian, Ryan Murphy

Subject “New Development”
Sept 27,2011

“I’m not sure if the LGL guys noticed this or not… but we have a nursing Steller sea lion pup on Great Race.  You’ll see in the photos that the mother is definitely lactating and the pup is nursing on the rock above the jetty (West side).  Since Eumetopias jubatus is listed under SARA as Special Concern, I believe this is very significant.  DND’s activity at Bentinck Island has not included intervals between blasts to reduce sea lion stampedes, and this pup is definitely at risk of trampling if DND continues their activities as they have for the past 2 days.-
Subject: continued blasting
Date:   September 28, 2011 8:30:18 AM PDT

“No need to worry about DND blasting, the landing of LGL personnel and subsequent standing around at the jetty caused a mass stampede with about 50 animals taking to the water including the pup.”

Subject Update
Date:   September 28, 2011 9:26:18 AM PDT
“Just so you know, the larger blasts are still coming back to back.  I don’t know if LGL communicated the need for increased intervals, but regardless there is no change.  The sea lions continued to be disturbed and take to the water with the rapid succession blasts.”

Subject: update
Date:   September 28, 2011 4:57:03 PM PDT
“The pup has been back since at least 14:30.  I have not seen its mother and it is sporting a fresh 2″ cut on its shoulder.  Otherwise looks to be ok, it has been sitting upright trying to stay awake and nodding off as babies will.”
Subject:    Re: New development
Date:   September 29, 2011 7:04:02 AM PDT

“The pup is still here this morning, the mother is not with it.”

Subject: DND report
Date:   September 29, 2011 9:21:24 AM PDT

“As per the log at 9:21 this morning:
Two absolutely massive explosions that shook the house occurred only 10 seconds apart.  The glass panes in the windows rattled against their metallic frames.  At least 70 sea lions stampeded into the water, completely clearing out entire haul out areas.  About 20 sea lions stampeded through the area where the Steller pup was resting.”

As a result of this account of events, I sent an e-mail to BC Parks and DND administration stating the following:

From: Garry Fletcher
Sent: Thursday, September 29, 2011 10:20 AM
Subject: Fwd: New development

I was very concerned to receive the following  reports and images  from Ryan Murphy our Guardian at  Race Rocks. I think it warrants a followup considering the concerns we have for marine mammals being disturbed by human activities, especially those which are SARA listed.
Surely they have enough data by now to show that the window for doing this blasting program might perhaps be reconsidered.  We would appreciate hearing of any followup .

FOLLOWUP:  So far ( November, 2011) there has been none. The juvenile and mother were not seen again, research by LGL  (LGL who are referred to are the DND contracted research group who is at the island again this year to make observations on the effects of detonations at Bentinck Island.) The disturbance to animals by DND blasting continued unabated over the next few days.  Their previous reports up to 2010 are included here. The report for this year will be added here when it is available.