Humpback whale (Megaptera novaengliae)
Photo courtesy Nancy Black (www.gowhales.com)
Humpback whales once were considered common in the inland waters of Washington and British Columbia. Although catch records are incomplete, commercial harvest probably depleted local stocks and sightings are now uncommon except at the mouth of the Strait of Juan de Fuca where they may be seen during summer months. Humpback whales are listed as endangered under the Federal ESA as well as by Washington State and are considered vulnerable in British Columbia (blue list). For more information on the natural history of humpbacks, visit the Whale Museums' Marine Mammals of the Salish Sea compiled by Albert Shepard.