A group of about six orca whales has been spotted in South Sound over the past few days, according to reports to Cascade Research Collective, an Olympia-based marine mammal research group.
The whales, which appear to include two calves or young whales, are transient orcas and not part of the three pods, or families of orca whales that reside much of the year in Puget Sound.
Since Friday, the whales have been seen in Budd Inlet, Boston Harbor, and Dana and Pickering passages, according to Cascadia Research biologist Annie Douglas.
With the good weather, the whales attracted a crowd of up to 16 boaters Sunday, including some traveling alongside the whales or positioning themselves in front of the whales.
Federal regulations that went into effect this year require boaters in the inland waters of the state to keep at least 200 yards away from whales and stay out of the whales’ path.
Enforcement officials for NOAA Fisheries have been notified of the alleged violations of the whale watching guidelines.
The NOAA enforcement number is 800-853-1964. For more information on proper whale watching, visit www.bewhalewise.org.
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