If you must take specimens, be aware of local Fisheries regulations and licensing requirements. Wherever possible, collect organisms from man-made structures such as docks and pilings. Take as few specimens as possible and avoid individuals that are laying or guarding eggs, or engaged in reproductive behaviours. If you dig into sand or mud, or turn over rocks, replace the disturbed material carefully and immediately. Avoid stepping on plants and animals.
There are many threats to the marine environment, including overfishing, pollution and habitat destruction. Many local or international marine conservation groups are active, and they will be glad to provide you with more information on enjoying and caring for the natural wonders of the coastline.
Marine Mammals
Whales, Dolphins, Porpoises, Seals &Sea Lions, Sea Otter & River Otter
Phylum Chordata
Illustrations by Pieter Folkens
Whales, Dolphins, Porpoises
Harbour Porpoise
Phocoena phocoena
To 6’3” (1.8 m) long. Weight to 145 lb. (65 kg). Low, triangular dorsal fin. Small rounded head. Dark back, light sides to white, speckled belly. Solitary or in pairs, in coastal areas year-round. Avoids vessels; does not bow-ride.
Dall’s Porpoise
Phocoenoides dalli
To 7’3” (2.2 m) long. Weight to 485 lb. (218 kg). Hooked, triangular dorsal fin, often with white patch. Thick body, grey to black with white patch on sides and belly. Common and abundant. Fast swimmer; creates “rooster tail” splash.
Pacific White-Sided Dolphin
Lagenorhynchus obliquedens
To 8’ (2.4 m) long. Weight to 300 lb. (135 kg). Tall, curved dorsal fin, black and grey. Black back with pale grey streak along sides, widening at tail end. Most abundant dolphin in north Pacific. Fast swimmer, leaps and creates “rooster tail” splash. In groups of 50 to several hundred.
Orca (Killer Whale)
Orcinus orca
Female to 23’ (7 m), 4.5 tons (4 tonnes), short curved dorsal fin to 3’ (90 cm). Male larger, to 30’ (9 m) and 6 tons (5.4 tonnes), tall dorsal fin to 6’ (1.8 m). Black with white chin, white patches behind eye and on sides. Dorsal fins and distinctive saddle patches behind dorsal fin used for identification. Family groups have unique vocalizations. Nearshore pods (5–50 animals) of resident orcas feed only on fish. Small pods (2–10 animals) of transient orcas are mammal hunters. Offshore orcas (pods to 25 or more animals) are likely fish eaters, especially sharks.
Gray Whale
Eschrichtius robustus
To 50’ (15 m) long. Weight to 35 tons (31.5 tonnes). Long, slender head. A baleen whale (feeds by straining food through baleen plates in the jaws). Upper jaw has coarse yellow baleen. Grey body with lighter patches and mottling, scattered patches of white barnacles and orange whale lice. Low dorsal “hump,” followed by 6 to 12 “knuckles.” Marks on body sides and tail flukes are used to identify individuals. In shallow coastal waters; whales breed in shallow lagoons of Baja and migrate annually to Arctic seas.
Humpback Whale
Megaptera novaengliae
To 49’3”(14.8 m) long. Weight to 44 tons (40 tonnes). Large head with small knobs. A baleen whale. Low, stubby dorsal fin with broad base. Long, slender flippers. Grey to black body with lighter underside. Alone or in groups of 20 or more. Swims actively, breaching, spy-hopping and rolling on back to wave flippers. Many feeding behaviours, lunging and bubble-netting. Colour and shape of underside of tail flukes are used to identify individuals.
Seals, Sea Lions
Pacific Harbour Seal
Phoca vitulina richardsi
Male and female to 6’ (1.8 m) long. Weight to 250 lb. (113 kg). Large, round, smooth head without external ear flaps. Short, furry front flippers. Grey to black, mottled. Often hauls out on rocks and sand or mudflats.
Steller Sea Lion
Eumetopias jubatus
Female to 8’ (2.4 m), 600 lb. (270 kg); male to 10’ (3 m), 2,200 lb. (990 kg). Ear flaps; low forehead. Large front flippers to sit erect. Male tan above and reddish brown below; female slimmer and uniformly brown. Roars and growls, does not bark. Hauls out on rocks.
California Sea Lion
Zalophus californianus
Female to 5’8” (1.7 m), 250 lb. (113 kg); male to 8’ (2.4 m) and 900 lb. (405 kg). Ear flaps. Smaller and darker than Steller sea lion. Mature male dark brown to tan, light-coloured bump on forehead. Female blonde to tan. Barks. Hauls out on rocks, logs and docks. Males and the occasional female migrate north of the breeding grounds in California and Mexico.
Sea Otter, River Otter
Sea Otter
Enhydra lutris
To 5’ (1.5 m) long. Weight to 80 lb. (36 kg). Short, flattened tail. Short, thick neck and flat, broad head. Large, webbed hind feet. Tan or rusty red to dark brown or black, with light-coloured head. Squeals, hisses and grunts. Uses rock as a tool while eating and floating belly-up. Often swims on its back. Typically in open, exposed waters, solitary or “rafts” in kelp beds. Clumsy on land, seldom leaves the water.
River Otter
Lutra canadiensis
To 4’6” (1.4 m) long. Weight to 30 lb. (13.5 kg). Long, round, tapered tail. Slender body and long neck, small, webbed hind feet. Short, dense dark fur above, lighter below. Unique whistle. Often swims belly-down. At home on land.
Fishes
Phylum Chordata
Cartilaginous