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 11 of the Prince of Whales PODcast! This week, Claudia, Nik, and Brendon dive into the mesmerizing world of jellyfish in the Salish Sea—why they bloom, what species call B.C. waters home, and how changing ocean conditions may be giving them an advantage. From the massive Lion’s Mane jellyfish with tentacles over 100 feet long to the glowing comb jellies, we explore the good, the bad, and the downright weird aspects of jellyfish in our local waters. Whether you're fascinated by marine life or just want to know if you should be worried about jellyfish stings, this episode has it all!

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.

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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 9 of the Prince of Whales PODcast! This week, Claudia, Nik, and Brendon explore the fascinating world of dolphins and porpoises in British Columbia's waters. From their differences in appearance and behaviour to their unique adaptations for survival, this episode dives deep into the lives of these incredible cetaceans. Along the way, you'll learn about hybrid porpoises and playful dolphins and how these species thrive in BC’s diverse marine ecosystems. Whether you’re a marine biology enthusiast or simply curious about the creatures beneath the waves, this episode is packed with fun facts and engaging stories!

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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. 🌊

Episode 7 Description:

Welcome to Episode 7 of the Prince of Whales PODcast! Join Claudia, Nik, and Brendon as they dive into the fascinating world of orca taxonomy, hybrid species, and exciting new developments with the Southern Resident Killer Whales. This episode explores how orca populations are classified into subspecies, the surprising world of marine mammal hybrids, and the hopeful news of new calves in the struggling Southern Resident population. Whether you're a science enthusiast or just love hearing about the latest in marine life, this episode is packed with captivating insights!

Topics Include:

• (0:38) Why scientists are classifying Bigg’s and Resident Killer Whales into different subspecies
• (7:34) The strange world of marine mammal hybrids, from narwhal-beluga crosses to grolar bears
• (12:10) The exciting news of new Southern Resident Killer Whale calves and their importance for population recovery

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 5 of the Prince of Whales PODcast! Join your hosts, Claudia, Nik, and Brendon, as they tackle fascinating questions about marine wildlife and dive into some of the Salish Sea’s most intriguing creatures. This episode unpacks the mystery behind whale blows, explores the epic confrontations between humpback whales and orcas, and highlights the rare and delightful tufted puffins. Whether you’re curious about whale behaviours or eager to learn about puffins on the Pacific coast, this episode is packed with engaging stories and insights.

Topics Include:

• (0:43) What is a whale blow, and why does it look like water?
• (4:46) Why do humpback whales intervene in orca hunts?
• (11:28) What puffins live on the Pacific coast, and where can you see them?

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. 🌊