Prince of Whales PODcast

Welcome to the final episode of Season 1 of the Prince of Whales PODcast! Before we head out for a summer of whale watching and bring you our Breaching News on CHEK TV, we’re closing the season with a dive into the mysterious world of ocean legends. From krakens to mermaids to the mighty megalodon, we explore the myths, the facts, and the creatures that may have inspired them.Topics Include:(0:32) Kraken folklore from Scandinavia to Haida Gwaii — and real-life giant squid(4:39) Mermaids vs. sirens: global myths, mistaken identities, and ancient sea nymphs(8:33) Caddy the Cadborosaurus and BC’s own sea serpent sightings(12:04) Oarfish: the eerie “doomsday fish” linked to natural disasters(13:43) Megalodon: the prehistoric mega-shark that ruled the seasThanks for joining us this season! We’ll be back in the fall for Season 2. Until then, catch us Saturdays at 5 on CHEK News and follow along at @princeofwhaleswhalewatching . We’ll see you on the water!

Welcome to Episode 20 of the Prince of Whales Podcast! In this continuation of last week’s deep dive into orca ecotypes, we head to the Southern Hemisphere to explore New Zealand’s stingray-hunting orcas. These clever predators use techniques like tonic immobility and tail targeting to disable their prey, and their unique behaviours are just the beginning!Topics Include:(1:24) Stingray Hunters of New Zealand – Discover how orcas in the Bay of Islands flip stingrays into tonic immobility and use specialized hunting techniques passed through generations.(4:02) Pickle & Funky Monkey – Meet two standout orcas from the South Pacific, known for their unique dorsal fins and close sibling bond.(5:03) Dog Meets Orca – Hear the heartwarming true story of a transient killer whale who formed an unlikely friendship with a golden retriever off Vancouver Island(5:59) Remembering T-44 – Learn about the legacy of T-44, a BC orca remembered for his curiosity, and his posthumous role in education at the Whale Interpretive Centre.(6:47) Luna vs. Sam – A powerful contrast between two human-orca interactions: the tragic tale of Luna, and the successful rescue and reintegration of Sam (T46C2).Tune in next week for a new episode of the Prince of Whales PODcast! Have a question or your own favorite orca fact? Send it to us at ⁠podcast@princeofwhales.com⁠ or drop us a message on Instagram. 🐋

Welcome to Episode 18 of the Prince of Wales podcast! This week, we dive into the colourful world of sea stars, one of the most iconic and ecologically important creatures in the Salish Sea. From their fascinating biology and regenerative powers to their recent decline due to sea star wasting disease, we explore everything you need to know about these incredible echinoderms.(0:36) What species of sea stars live in the Salish Sea(3:04) How sea stars eat—and digest their food outside their bodies(5:26) Regeneration: how sea stars regrow arms and central discs(11:03) The impact of sea star wasting disease and the decline of sunflower stars(15:55) Why sea stars are so brightly coloured (hint: it’s not just for looks)Sea stars are more than just tide pool treasures—they're apex predators, ecosystem engineers, and a key indicator of ocean health. This episode takes a closer look at their remarkable abilities and the conservation challenges they face.Don’t forget to subscribe, and send us your questions at podcast@princeofwales.com or on Instagram. See you next week for Episode 19! ⭐️🌊

Welcome to Episode 16 of the Prince of Whales PODcast! This week, we’re continuing our conversation with Mark Malleson, a Zodiac skipper with nearly three decades of experience on the Salish Sea. If you haven’t already, make sure to check out Episode 15 for the first half of this incredible interview.(0:44) Mark’s most cherished experiences from 28 years on the water(1:40) Encountering offshore killer whales in the Salish Sea(4:10) The rarest species Mark has ever seen in these waters(8:00) The challenges of tracking killer whales and collaborating with researchers(9:07) Biggest threats to whales and what we can do to help(12:02) How whale-watching regulations have changed over the years(15:20) Mark’s most memorable encounter in the last five yearsMark’s career has given him a front-row seat to history, and his stories are nothing short of amazing. We’re so grateful for the time he spent with us—maybe we’ll have to bring him back again!Don’t forget to subscribe and send us your questions at podcast@princeofwales.com or on Instagram. See you next week for Episode 17! 🐋✨

Welcome to Episode 14 of the Prince of Whales PODcast! Last week, we packed an entire episode with fascinating facts about the Salish Sea’s wildlife—and we still had more to share! Part 2 of our fun fact special covers everything from the world's oldest orca to how salmon smell their way home and even whale vomit worth more than gold. If you haven’t checked out Part 1 yet, go back and listen, then jump right into this episode for even more surprises!Topics Include: (0:51) Ocean Sun, the world’s oldest living wild orca, may be 97 years old! (1:40) Granny the orca: was she really 105 years old? (4:31) Which animals in the Salish Sea can live for over 100 years? (5:40) Salmon use their sense of smell to find their birth rivers! (6:47) Humpback whales may navigate using bacteria that detect magnetic fields (7:59) Herring were once called "candlefish"—and they could actually be burned like candles! (9:08) The lost herring spawn of Victoria’s Gorge Waterway—what happened?This episode is packed with wild facts you’ll want to share. Don’t forget to subscribe and send us your questions at podcast@princeofwhales.com or on Instagram. 🐋✨

Welcome to Episode 12 of the Prince of Whales PODcast! This week, Claudia, Nik, and Brendon dive into one of the most magical ocean phenomena—bioluminescence! Have you ever seen the ocean glow at night? Whether it’s shimmering plankton, glowing jellyfish, or deep-sea creatures using their own built-in flashlights, we break down the science, beauty, and mystery behind this natural wonder. Plus, we answer a listener’s question about where and when to see bioluminescence in BC, and share some amazing stories of glowing whales, firefly squid, and even red tide. (0:41) What is bioluminescence, and why does it happen? (1:25) The creatures that glow in BC’s waters—from jellyfish to plankton (3:26) Incredible sightings: glowing whales, dolphins, and bioluminescent beaches (5:39) How bioluminescence helps animals hunt, escape predators, and communicate (7:09) The connection between bioluminescence, climate change, and red tide (10:42) When and where to see bioluminescence in British Columbia Whether you’re hoping to witness glowing waves or just love learning about ocean science, this episode will illuminate the world of bioluminescence for you. Stay tuned for more marine life stories in future episodes! Don’t forget to subscribe and send us your questions at ⁠podcast@princeofwhales.com⁠ or on Instagram. 🌊✨

Welcome to Episode 10 of the Prince of Whales PODcast! This week, Claudia, Nik, and Brendon dive into the fascinating world of sharks in British Columbia’s waters. From misunderstood gentle giants like the basking shark to elusive predators like the salmon shark, this episode explores the diversity and importance of these incredible creatures. You’ll also learn about their role in marine ecosystems, their long lifespans, and why sharks in BC are more fascinating than fearsome. Topics Include: (0:44) What species of sharks live in BC, and how common are they? (3:50) The tragic history and near-extinction of basking sharks in BC (7:08) Great white sharks in BC: Fact vs. Fiction (12:00) How salmon sharks coexist with orcas and other predators (15:32) The incredible lifespans of BC’s sharks, from Greenland sharks to spiny dogfish Stay tuned for more marine life stories in future episodes! Don’t forget to subscribe and send us your questions at podcast@princeofwhales.com or on Instagram. 🌊

Welcome to Episode 8 of the Prince of Whales PODcast! Join Claudia, Nik, and Brendon as they dive into exciting questions about whale watching seasons, bald eagle populations, and the incredible feeding behaviors of whales in British Columbia. From the best times to spot whales on the coast to the inspiring recovery of bald eagles, this episode covers it all. Whether you're planning your next whale-watching adventure or just curious about the animals of the Salish Sea, this episode is filled with engaging insights and fascinating facts! Topics Include: (0:39) When does the whale watching season start in 2025? (6:39) Why is British Columbia home to so many bald eagles? (10:45) How did bald eagles recover from near extinction? (14:28) Fun facts about eagle hunting and survival behaviours Stay tuned for more marine life stories in future episodes! Don’t forget to subscribe and send us your questions at ⁠podcast@princeofwhales.com⁠ or on Instagram. 🌊

Welcome to Episode 6 of the Prince of Whales PODcast! In this episode, Claudia, Nik, and Brendon explore the fascinating world of orca ecotypes and the challenges they face. From the playful yet mysterious “salmon hat” behavior of resident killer whales to the critical differences between Southern and Northern Resident orcas, this episode dives deep into the interconnected lives of orcas and their essential prey: Chinook salmon. Discover how human activities, environmental changes, and historical captures have shaped the current plight of these iconic marine mammals. Topics Include: (0:49) The truth behind the “salmon hats” trend observed in resident killer whales (3:22) Why Southern Resident Killer Whales are critically endangered compared to their Northern counterparts (7:15) Conservation efforts to restore Chinook salmon populations and how it impacts orcas (14:28) The historical capture of Southern Resident orcas and its lasting effects on their population Stay tuned for more marine life stories in future episodes! Don’t forget to subscribe and send us your questions at podcast@princeofwales.com or on Instagram. 🌊

Welcome to Episode 4 of the Prince of Whales PODcast! Join your hosts, Claudia, Nik, and Brendon, as they dive into the unique lives of sea otters and the incredible feeding techniques of humpback whales. This episode explores the fascinating story of Ollie, a solitary sea otter at Race Rocks, and his remarkable adaptation to life on his own. We also discuss how sea otters play a critical role as keystone species, protecting kelp forests and supporting marine ecosystems. Later, we delve into humpback whales' clever hunting strategies, from bubble net feeding to trap feeding and beyond. Whether you’re intrigued by the resilience of sea otters or the cooperation of humpbacks, this episode is packed with fascinating insights. Topics Include: (0:44) Meet Ollie, the solitary sea otter of Race Rocks (1:22) How sea otters support kelp forests and marine ecosystems (2:31) The history of the sea otter fur trade and conservation efforts (13:17) What is bubble net feeding, and how does it work? (17:31) Other fascinating humpback feeding techniques like trap feeding and flick feeding Stay tuned for more marine life stories in future episodes! Don’t forget to subscribe and send us your questions at podcast@princeofwhales.com or on Instagram. 🌊

Welcome to Episode 2 of the Prince of Whales PODcast! Join your hosts, Claudia, Nik, and Brendon, as they explore the wonders of British Columbia’s marine ecosystems. In this episode, we focus on the iconic Race Rocks Ecological Reserve, uncovering its incredible biodiversity and the powerful tidal currents that shape it. We also dive into the epic journeys of humpback whales, exploring their migration patterns, the reasons behind their travels, and the fascinating story of their population recovery after near extinction. Whether you're a marine enthusiast or just curious about the underwater world, this episode offers a deep dive into the lives of these magnificent creatures. Topics Include: What makes Race Rocks a hotspot for marine life The incredible wildlife you can spot at the reserve The mechanics and importance of tidal upwelling at Race Rocks The breathtaking migrations of humpback whales Why some humpbacks are starting to stay year-round Stay tuned for more exciting topics in future episodes! Don’t forget to subscribe and send us your questions at podcast@princeofwhales.com or on Instagram. 🌊