Gray Whale Habitat

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Endangered Gray Whale
Gray Whale Migration
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Gray Whale Habitat

Gray Whale Habitat

All whales are mammals, and they are more closely related to cows than to fish. They are warm-blooded, breathe air and give birth to live young.

• Adult gray whale females mate every other year and are pregnant for more than a year. The calves are born in January or February, and they can be up to 12 feet (4m) long and weigh 2,000 pounds (900 kg).
• Gray whales are bottom feeders, dredging the sandy ocean floor for amphipods, isopods, tubeworms, and other bottom-dwelling organisms. They are in the class of whales that have no teeth, called baleen whales.
• They eat by using baleen, a fringed plate that lines the upper jaw and traps prey in the mouth while water is filtered out. Most feeding takes place in their summer grounds in Alaska between May and September, and some feeding occurs during migration

The eastern Pacific population of gray whales has the longest migration of any mammal, traveling up to 10,000 miles (16,000 km) round trip from the summer feeding grounds in the Bering and Chuchki Seas in Alaska to the winter breeding and calving grounds in Baja California.

The gray whale's range formerly included the coasts of both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

• The Atlantic population had been hunted to extinction by the 1700s and in the early 1900s it seemed that the two Pacific populations (eastern and western) would follow.

However, in the 1940s the species became protected by international agreement, and today the eastern Pacific population has recovered so much that it is no longer considered endangered - although it is still protected.

•  Population estimates indicate that there are more than 20,000 gray whales in the eastern Pacific, approximately equal to estimates of the historic population.

The eastern Pacific population of gray whales was removed from the endangered species list in 1995, but the western Pacific (Korean) population, which has not recovered at all, remains listed.

• The status of the western Pacific population is relatively unknown, but it is believed to be highly endangered and close to extinction. The gray whale is an interesting case study because one population is extinct, one is endangered, and one is recovered.

The Skipper's Corner

"The Legendary Captain" Ron King, Owner Operator of Sea King Adventures, has over 35 years of experience in the beautiful waters around Victoria and Vancouver Island. He is a certified Master Skipper with naturalist and conservation education.

Since staring in business in 1995 Ron boasts a perfect safety record.

Born and raised in Victoria, Captain Ron has over 30 years of professional marine experience - including 25 years of commercial fishing and 11 years whale watching.

Like his father before him, going to sea is the only life he’s known. He began his career as a deckhand on board his father’s fishing boat "Five Kings II" at the tender age of 11. By the time he was 20, he owned and operated his first fishing vessel, "Aquarius".

 In 1995, with the commercial fishery in decline, he discovered his passion and purpose in whale watching and founded SeaKing Adventures Inc.

Because SeaKing Adventures  is Victoria’s only 100% family owned and operated marine tour company, Ron’s commitment to quality, safety and satisfaction is guaranteed! His central location on board the vessel allows him to provide Victoria’s most comprehensive fully narrated, totally interactive and personalized tours. Boasting a spotless safety record and sightings guarantee, Ron’s qualifications and experience combine to make him the city’s premier guide.
 

Our vessel can accommodate groups of 12 comfortably and is Canadian Coast Guard inspected annually. The soft riding boat has comfy leather seats, an onboard toilet and is equipped with all the latest in GPS, radar and communications apparatus. Safety survival suits are supplied for each passenger.

Passengers can all expect a exciting, educational, safe and comfortable tour of the area whales and wildlife.

Reservations Recommended Book early!

2009 Rates

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(250) 381-4173

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Since 1994

Call for information and bookings

 Telephone

(250) 381-4173

Email Us

1seaking@gmail.com

SeaKing Adventures

Whale Watching and Wildlife Adventure Tours

Pier #4 Fisherman's Wharf

Victoria BC Canada

V8V4X5