Our research team was alerted to a sighting involving a group of transient killer whales in Puget Sound, WA on February 24th, 2025. A large unidentified male transient was encountered travelling with a group of known whales and photographs were sent to our ORA - Oceanic Research Alliance team for identification. We were able to identify this male as a rarely sighted outer coast transient known as OCT059.

OCT059 belongs to the OCT009 matrilineal group that is primarily documented in offshore waters. This family of three is led by the matriarch OCT009 (born. ~1986), her daughter OCT009C (born. 2011), and presumed adult son OCT059 (born. 1996). We are still waiting more photographs to confirm the presence of the other two whales. This marks the first record for OCT059 in the Salish Sea.

The west coast transient population is believed to be comprised of two distinct subpopulations. Whales within the inner coast subpopulation primarily frequent coastal waters from Southeast Alaska to northern California, while outer coast whales inhabit the high seas from Southeast Alaska to southern California.

Our research team manages a photo-identification database for west coast transient killer whales occurring in the California Current System, with most whales primarily being from the outer coast subpopulation.

To learn more about the outer coast transient subpopulation and to download a copy of our 2021 NOAA SWFSC catalog visit the link:

McInnes, J. D., Mathieson, C. R., West-Stap, P. J., Marcos, S. L., Wade, V. L., Olson, P. A., & Trites, A. W. (2021). Transient killer whales of central and northern California and Oregon: A catalog of photoidentified individuals (NOAA Technical Memorandum NOAA-TM-NMFS-SWFSC-644). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Southwest Fisheries Science Center. 148 pp.

https://repository.library.noaa.gov/view/noaa/30740