Beloved humpback ‘Big Mama’ returns to B.C. waters from Hawaii

The Pacific Whale Watch Association (PWWA) announced today that iconic humpback whale BCY0324 “Big Mama” has safely returned to local waters after her winter migration.

Humpback whale Big Mama is back in B.C. waters after completing her annual migration from Hawaii, a journey of more than 4,000 kilometres.

The iconic whale was spotted Monday near Moresby Island in Boundary Pass by Pacific Whale Watch Association member company Maya’s Legacy.

“It’s an official kick-off to humpback season when she returns,” said Erin Gless, executive director of the PWWA.

Big Mama is one of the most recognized humpback whales on the B.C. coast and is closely tied to the recovery of humpbacks in the Salish Sea. Once nearly absent due to commercial whaling, the species only began returning in more noticeable numbers decades after protections were introduced.

“More than 100 years ago, they were completely wiped out of these in B.C. waters, and for decades there were no humpbacks whatsoever in this region,” said Gless.

First photographed off Victoria in 1997, Big Mama has helped rebuild the population along the way.

“She’s been coming back pretty much every year ever since,” said Gless. “In that time, she has had at least eight babies of her own and she brings those guys back here. Those whales have had calves and even grand calves of their own.”

Today, her lineage spans more than 20 whales in the region.

“Simply put, she’s the whale who started it all,” Gless said.

Humpback whales migrate annually between warm-water breeding grounds such as Hawaii and feeding areas along the B.C. coast.

“There is no food for them in Hawaii and that’s why they come here to the Salish Sea,” Gless said. “They feed on krill and bait fish — they can eat about a tonne of fish every single day — and that food needs cold water.”

Over the coming months, more whales are expected to return.

“We anticipate that hundreds of humpback whales are going to be feeding here this summer, so this is just the start,” she said.

Boaters are reminded to maintain safe viewing distances: at least 100 metres from humpbacks, and 200 metres if whales are resting or accompanied by calves.