A humpback whale made an appearance off Blakely Rock this afternoon, heading south and lining itself up for a possible cameo along West Seattle’s west-facing shoreline. Local spotters said its spouts and unhurried surface moves might be visible from area beaches if it keeps the same route. Viewers are urged to keep a safe distance from the water, since whales can pivot and move quickly.
Naturalist Kersti Muul told West Seattle Blog that a single humpback was seen off Blakely Rock, traveling south, and the outlet invited readers to send in any follow up sightings. These quick, shore-based alerts often spark a fast chain of updates as volunteers and boaters relay what they are seeing.
Humpbacks Make A Salish Sea Comeback
Humpback whales have become much more common in Puget Sound in recent years, part of a broader recovery tracked by regional scientists and observers. As described by the Encyclopedia of Puget Sound, humpbacks are now using Salish Sea feeding areas far more often than in past decades. Public networks such as Orca Network gather reports from boaters and shoreline watchers, helping build a clearer picture of where these giants are spending their time.
How To Watch, And What Not To Do
The Whale Museum’s Soundwatch Boater Education Program sends crews on the water during whale season to share Be Whale Wise guidance that helps cut down on disturbance. Soundwatch volunteers talk with boaters about safe approach rules, log vessel behavior around whales, and hand out information on responsible viewing. If you prefer to watch from shore, pick an elevated vantage point and skip crowding the waterline or wading in.
If You Spot A Whale In Trouble
Federal recommendations say people should stay at least 100 yards from large whales and avoid chasing, circling, or trying to interact with them. According to NOAA Fisheries, boaters should slow to no-wake speed and give whales plenty of space to move. If you see an entangled or injured animal, NOAA’s West Coast contacts include the entanglement hotline at 1-877-SOS-WHALE (1-877-767-9425) and the West Coast stranding hotline at 1-866-767-6114. Suspected harassment or other violations can be reported to the NOAA Enforcement Hotline at 1-800-853-1964. For more on regional response, see NOAA Fisheries…