The Canadian Forces suspended an exercise involving explosives on Bentinck Island on Thursday after a whale-watching crew notified them that orcas were arriving in the area.
The island, which is near Race Rocks Ecological Preserve, is used by the military as a demolition range and test site for explosives.
Dan Kukat of SpringTide Whalewatching had taken a group into Juan de Fuca Strait in hopes of spotting whales when they heard the blasts of the military exercise.
They also saw a group of orcas known as L pod, part of the endangered southern resident killer whales, approaching the area.
Kukat used his cellphone to contact a military representative and told them of the situation. “They immediately arranged for the blasting to cease, allowing the whales to transit the area safely and soundly,” he said.
The military showed a positive reaction to a situation requiring immediate action, Kukat said.
“SpringTide would like to express our thanks for the courteous, responsive and positive approach taken by members of [the military].”
Base Commander Capt. Luc Cassivi said in an email that notifications from whale-watching operations “are invaluable for helping us protect local wildlife.”
Cassivi said the base works to integrate environmental considerations into its daily operations.
“Working with organizations such as the Pacific Whale Watch Association in situations such as these is an excellent example of how we are achieving this goal,” he said.
According to the military, there are procedures in place to protect the nearby Race Rocks Ecological Preserve. A 2012 report in the base’s newspaper, the Lookout, said that training is stopped if any marine mammals or boaters come within one kilometre of the island.
In addition, the Lookout reported the military works with outside agencies studying how their activities affect wildlife.
