A Port Moody environmental advocate says a robust herring run may be responsible for an apparent wildlife boon in Burrard Inlet this spring.
Ruth Foster, a co-founder of the Mossom Creek hatchery and longtime volunteer with the Burrard Marine Enhancement Society, said pods of orcas, dolphins and even sea lions spotted in the inlet in recent days are exhibiting feeding behaviour, suggesting an abundant food source is luring them toward Port Moody and up Indian Arm.
“There was much circling behaviour,” Foster said.
“Circling generally indicates feeding. We think it may be herring.”
Belcarra resident Colleen MacDonald told the Tri-City News she hasn’t seen the waters so busy is the 48 years she’s lived along the shores of Burrard Inlet.
She said a massive sea lion lounged in the sun of a neighbour's dock for most of the day last Wednesday, April 24, then was spotted again the next day swimming lazily about with a flipper in the air.
A post on a local Facebook community page also reported a pod of 20 to 30 dolphins in Bedwell Bay.
Last Thursday, members of the Draggin’ Divas dragon boating team had a close encounter with a small group of orcas not far from the boat houses at Reed Point Marina.
Carrie Stefanson, one of the paddlers aboard the dragon boat for an evening training session, said the orcas frolicked in the waters for about 30 minutes while the athletes paused their workout to enjoy the spectacle.
She said the encounter was "magical."
📣 SOUND OFF: Have you had a close encounter with wildlife this spring? What were the circumstances? How did it make you feel? Tell us about it. Better yet, attach a photo or two. We'll compile them and share them with our readers.
