Whales are making a stunning comeback in the waters around Nanaimo and mid-Vancouver Island, but their return comes with a hidden cost. Once nearly absent due to decades of commercial whaling, humpback whales are now thriving in the Salish Sea, with populations rebounding to over 400 individuals. But here's where it gets controversial: while their resurgence is a conservation success, it also means more encounters—and potential conflicts—with humans. Are we doing enough to protect these majestic creatures as they reclaim their historic habitat?
Meet Juan Zavelta, a visual artist and dedicated whale tracker whose YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/@vancouverislandvideoartviva/videos) captures the beauty of local and transient killer whales and humpbacks. As part of a growing community of onshore whale watchers, Zavelta relies on real-time updates from Facebook groups like Neck Point Whale Watch (https://www.facebook.com/groups/671677095443172) to coordinate sightings. These groups, with thousands of participants, share constantly updated whale locations, making it easier for enthusiasts to spot these giants from popular vantage points like Dodd Narrows, Stephenson Point, and Pipers Lagoon Park.
“Dodd Narrows is truly magical,” Zavelta explains. “You can see humpbacks or orcas just 10 meters away. Once you spot them, it’s a race to follow their path—sometimes even by car!” But this accessibility raises a critical question: How can we balance our fascination with whales with their need for undisturbed habitats?
According to Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), humpback whales were nearly wiped out in Canadian Pacific waters by commercial whaling until 1967. By 2004, they were rarely seen in the Salish Sea. Today, they’ve returned to feed on krill and herring, but their presence is now year-round, not just during migration seasons. This shift, Zavelta believes, is partly due to females with calves and non-breeding adults opting to stay in local waters. “If the temperature remains stable, they don’t leave,” he notes. But this also means they’re more vulnerable to human activities.
And this is the part most people miss: while whale sightings are at an all-time high, so are the risks. Collisions with boats and entanglements in fishing gear are on the rise. “Every year, we see private boats breaking the law,” Zavelta says. “Sometimes it’s accidental, but other times it’s clear abuse.” Is our excitement about whale sightings blinding us to the dangers we pose to them?
The DFO advises boaters to follow strict regulations to minimize harm (https://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/species-especes/mammals-mammiferes/watching-observation/index-eng.html), but enforcement remains a challenge. As whale populations grow, so does the need for public awareness and responsible behavior. Zavelta’s message is clear: “We must limit hazards for these whales. Their survival depends on it.”
What do you think? Are we doing enough to protect whales in our waters, or is more action needed? Share your thoughts in the comments below. And don’t forget to follow Everything Nanaimo on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/everythingnanaimo) and stay connected with all things central Vancouver Island. For more updates, find us on Twitter (X) (https://www.twitter.com/nanaimonewsnow), Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/nanaimonewsnow.bsky.social), and Facebook.
By Ian Holmes
