Wildlife of the Week!

A species of the featured creature is spotted here on a dive. Photo courtesy of: NOAA Office of Exploration and Research. 

Welcome to Week 2 of Wildlife of the Week! We’ve decided to highlight an animal that lives deep under the waves of the Salish Sea. There is a general name for this animal that includes multiple species. Does anyone know this creature from the photo above? Here are a few clues if you need a hint: 

(i) It is not a lobster, contrary to its name.  

(ii) Its claws may be twice as long as its body 

….if you guessed Squat lobster, you would be correct! A common species seen in B.C. is called Munida quadraspina. 

The Squat lobster is a small crustacean that is an important member of marine communities, with many species found in the deep-sea. They can measure from less than 1 cm to a maximum of 9 cm long. 

They are related to other crustaceans like shrimp and hermit crabs. 

Squat lobsters are often spotted dwelling in enclosed spaces. You might spot one between rocks and boulders, as they hide from fish predators. They may also use their claws to guard their space…however they can swim and walk around on surfaces. 

They may also be spotted sitting atop varieties of corals, sponges and other marine structures.  

This tiny creature is commonly known to feed on small plankton, shrimp and organic matter, usually scavenging or sorting through sand. However, some have been seen hunting live fish on reefs! 

These creatures are bright in shades of orange and red. 

Regarding Munida quadraspina, they can be found from Alaska to California between depths of 12-1400m. 

Now, time for trivia! See if you can answer all the questions below: 

1. True or False? The Squat lobster has a shell. (Ans: FALSE)
2. True or false? Some Squat lobsters have been seen to steal food off of anemones. (Ans: TRUE)
3. What are the claws of a Squat lobster called? (Ans: CHELIPEDS)

BONUS CHALLENGE: 

The squat lobster has what is called a “tail fan”. This is extremely important to the animal for a major reason…do you know what it is?

Answer: It is used as an escape mechanism and allows the creature to swim backwards. 

Would you like to learn more about this interesting underwater crustacean? Check out our References to learn more! 

Baldwin, Aaron. “Infraorder Anomura (Mole crabs, Hermit crabs, King crabs, Porcelain crabs, and Squat lobsters) of British Columbia.” Klinkenberg, Brian. (Editor) E-Fauna BC: Electronic Atlas of the Fauna of British Columbia [www.efauna.bc.ca]. Lab for Advanced Spatial Analysis, Department of Geography, University of British Columbia, Vancouver. [13 June, 2020]. 

Cowles, Dave. “Munida quadraspina Benedict 1902. 2005.” Invertebrates of the Salish Sea. Walla Walla University. https://inverts.wallawalla.edu/Arthropoda/Crustacea/Malacostraca/Eumalacostraca/Eucarida/Decapoda/Anomura/Family_Galatheidae/Munida_quadrispina.html

“Squat lobster.” Monterey Bay Aquarium. 2020. https://www.montereybayaquarium.org/animals/animals-a-to-z/squat-lobster 

“Are squat lobsters really lobsters?” Ocean Exploration and Research. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. https://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/facts/squat-lobsters.html 

Orca Conservancy video about the Orcas of the Salish Sea

Here is a great video by our friends at Orca Conservancy explaining in the shift we have seen in the Salish Sea Orca populations and why. As we have been saying for many years, it is all about Prey and in order to save the SRKW's we need to restore the Chinook Salmon they rely on. https://youtu.be/0ijXy9_08Ow

World Oceans Day!

Happy World Oceans Day! We must do everything we can to protect our oceans. If you would like to learn about measures you can take to help visit our website at https://www.5starwhales.com/research-conservation/ #worldoceansday #welikeourwhaleswild #salishsea #marineconservation

Wildlife Of The Week!

It’s time for Wildlife of the Week! We wanted to begin with a species that is incredibly important and familiar on our coast…

…..the Sea Otter!  

• Sea Otters are carnivorous mammals, spending the majority of their life in the ocean. They are one of the smallest marine mammals and may look similar to a seal, but belong to the weasel family (Mustelidae)! They are usually seen floating on their backs in kelp beds, wrapped in fronds to stay in place. Unlike other marine mammals, they rely on a thick fur coat to keep warm, not blubber! 
• They love to eat Sea urchins, and play a crucial role in regulating urchin populations.  They will also feast on other shelled animals, like crabs. 
• Generally, Sea Otters can be found on the West Coast from Alaska down to California. 
• Did you know? Sea Otters will use rocks to crack and pry open the hard shells of their prey (especially necessary with prickly urchins)!

 

Now, time for trivia! 

1. What is a group of sea otters together in the water called?                     Answer: RAFT.
2. True or False? Sea Otters may have close to 165,000 hairs per square inch.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Answer: TRUE. 
3. What is the scientific name for the Sea Otter?                                                Answer: Enhydra lutris.

 

BONUS CHALLENGE: Why do Sea Otters “scrub” their fur?  

Answer: move air close to base of fur to promote insulation.

 

Is the Sea otter a favourite of yours? Check out our References to learn more! 

http://www.geog.uvic.ca/viwilds/iw-otter.html 

https://defenders.org/wildlife/sea-otter

Orca Action Month

Today is the start of Orca Month!

Visit the #centerforwhaleresearch #orcaconservancy #orcabehaviorinstitute for more information on events in June. In our opinion now is the time for all parties to work together to protect Orcas in the Salish Sea, especially the endangered Southern Resident Orcas. For the second straight year SRKW’s were not seen a single day in May due to a lack of Chinook Salmon in the Salish Sea 🌊 We need to focus all efforts on recovering Wild Chinook Salmon in order to save the SRKW’s. #nofishnoblackfish #welikeourwhaleswild #orcamonth

https://www.whaleresearch.com/

https://www.orcaconservancy.org/

https://orcabehaviorinstitute.org/

World Cetacean Alliance article about TC latest restrictions aimed at conserving the SRKW population.

Check out this article by our friends at the World Cetacean Alliance on the new restrictions aimed at conserving the SRKW population. https://worldcetaceanalliance.org/2020/05/28/canada-lays-down-new-restrictions-to-aid-killer-whale-conservation/?mc_cid=a9caf5aa3d&mc_eid=640aa6a80f 


#worldcetaceanalliance #welikeourwhaleswild #srkw #salishsea #protectwhatyoulove

Proud to be Victoria’s first WCA Certified Responsible Whale Watching Operator!

In July 2019 Five Star was Proud to become Victoria’s first WCA Certified Responsible Whale Watching Operator.

Our role as a partner of the World Cetacean Alliance

Five star whale watching is proud to be a partner of the World Cetacean Alliance (WCA) – the world’s largest marine conservation partnership. WCA partners include tourism businesses, individuals, NGO’s, scientists, performers, lawyers, and artists (to name just a few) working across the world on a united mission to protect whales and dolphins. The WCA is completely run by its partners, which means that we have an important say in the future for cetaceans and our oceans!


You can learn more about this special partnership with the WCA by clicking on the link below;

WCA Partner

May 2019 - Return of an old friend!

Back in 2006 Five Star launched a brand new vessel names "Fastcat" and it as the fastest Catamaran in Victoria's Whale Watching fleet! In 2013 Five Star sold the vessels to Stubb's Island Whale Watching as Five Star's original owners were looking to scale the business back a little. However, in February 2019 Stubb's Island contacted our new owner, Andrew, to see if he would be interested in buying Fastcat (now know as Kuluta) back as Stubb's was closing down. Andrew jumped at the chance and in May we proudly saw the return of our old friend :)

Kuluta is our latest addition to the fleet. She was custom designed and constructed by Armstrong (long time local boat builders) merging state of the art Aluminum Alloy Technology and highly efficient Arneson surface drive propulsion.  The Five Star high speed, deluxe catamaran was built specifically with whale watching in mind and offers our guests levels of safety, comfort, speed and stability unmatched by single-hulled vessels.

This striking silver catamaran accommodates 42 passengers and features an indoor heated cabin, on-board washroom facilities, outdoor elevated seating, and several decks with 360 degree all round viewing creating a level of comfort and convenience to satisfy adventurers of all ages. Our crews of experienced, trained naturalists are on board to guide and assist you throughout the journey.

Powered by Twin Cummins Turbo Eco-Diesel Engines & Arneson Drive System (low underwater noise), Kuluta is one of the most Whale Friendly & environmentally friendly vessels in the fleet.

She has a cruising speed of over 25 knots and can reach a top speed of 35 knots, yet her double hull design provides smoothness, stability and comfort for our passengers. Kuluta is a First Nations name for Porpoise!

2018 New Years Eve with Jpod off Victoria!

What an amazing way to spend the final day of 2018 but with Jpod off Victoria waterfront! We headed out west for our final tour of 2018 looking for Humpbacks and spotted blows South West of Race. We then heard a report of Orcas spotted near Oak Bay and after a quick stop at Race Rocks headed east. As we near Trial Island we could see the blows from several Orcas and heard over the radio it was Jpod :) As sat watching the Orcas we could see them spread out across the strait from the waterfront past Constance Bank. We could not have asked for a better way to finish our season or see out 2018 :) Click on the link below for more highlights;






Jpod off Victoria on New Years Eve!

2018 Season Highlights

Here are a few highlights from our 2018 Season, one of the busiest yet for Five Star Whale Watching and an incredible year for sightings. For the first time in Five Star's history we did tours right up to Dec 31st 2018 and our final tour of the season was with Jpod off Victoria :)  If you click on the link below you will see more highlights from 2018!

2018 Season Highlights



Five Star's new vessel - Salish Shadow!

In 2018 Five Star Whale Watching added a brand new vessel to its fleet,

Salish Shadow Coastal Explorer

Introducing our brand new Aluminum Coastal Explorer, Salish Shadow, designed for the serious Marine Adventure Seeker.  Our new vessel  leads the industry with its 108” bottom width and beam width of 9’ 6. This design feature markedly improves stability in rough water creating an extremely safe and dry riding marine adventure machine. Twin 300 Hp 4 stroke outboards provide the perfect balance of speed, low noise, high-efficiency and economy.  Our new vessel boasts a 55 degree bow entry for slicing through swells, an extra-large fuel capacity for long range trips and hydraulic steering for effortless control. With two outside viewing areas, a fully heated cabin area with washroom, this vessel provides the ultimate combination of excitement and comfort. 12 passenger capacity.


Click on the link below to see Salish Shadow in action;

Salish Shadow

Oct 28th 2017 - Polar Prince Arrival in Victoria

On Oct 28th we proudly escorted the C3 Vessel Polar Prince into Victoria. This marked the end of this historic 150 day journey! It was an unforgettable morning :) You can learn more at https://canadac3.ca/en/homepage/




Historic C3 Event

2017 Season Highlights!

Here are a few highlights from our amazing 2017 season! In 2017 we had a record number of encounters with Transient Orcas, we conducted more evening trips in 2017 than in the past 3 seasons put together and had so many breathtaking encounter with Orcas & Humpbacks :)

2017 was also the year our original owners, Eric & Kathy retired after starting the business back in 1985 and we wish them well. Our new owner is Andrew Lees who has been one of the managers at Five Star since 2006 and wanted to see the success of Five Star continue!

 

2017 Season Highlights

2016 Season Highlights

Here are a few images showing the highlights of our successful 2016 Whale Watching Season :) Thank you to all our wonderful guests who helped make 2016 one of our best seasons in many years. It was a tough year for the Resident Orcas, and we remember the good friends we lost this year, especially J28 & J34, RIP dear friends :( We also have to celebrate a record year for Transient Orca and Humpback Whale Sightings. The "Humpback Comeback" provided action not seen in the Salish Sea in over a 100 years :) We were also lucky enough to have several Fin Whale encounters in 2016!




2016 Season Highlights