Whale watchers in Bay of Fundy get inches away from humpback

Scientists are saying they expect to document over 100 right whales in the Bay of Fundy this year, a welcome sign after several years of decline.

"The bay seems much more alive this year than the past five," saidMoira Brown, senior scientist with theCanadian Whale Institute, in an email.

Brown says surveyors also noted highernumbers of seabirds and harbour porpoises as well as minke, finback and humpback whales.

Whale watchers onboard the Jolly Breeze near the Wolves Island Nature Preserve, between Blacks Harbour and Grand Manan Island, got within two feet of a humpback lastSunday.

Hannah Skinnerwrestledher phone out in time to get video of the whale as it dove underneath the boat.

"Seeing this huge gentle giant who was so peaceful, made me feel small ... in a good way," said Skinner.

The humpback was roughly 35 feet long. Operators of the Jolly Breeze, Rob and Joanne Carney, say it was a 2015 calf.

Wildlife increasing, whales staying

According to Brown, right whale presence this year is back where it had been for several decades until the recent drop. They are remaininglonger in the area this year as well.

"This year the water temperature wasmore in thenormal range that we would expect for the Bay of Fundy," said Laurie Murison, executive director of the Grand Manan Whale & Seabird Research Centre.

In addition to temperatures, herring and phytoplankton on the northern side of Grand Manan are healthier, and drawing back the whales to feed.

Probing for answers

In fact, Grand Manan ferry passengers are seeing an increase in wildlife in general saidMurison.

This news contraststhe tumbling puffin chick population on Machias Seal Island,south of Grand Manan.

The GrandMananWhale & Seabird Research Centre is currently using oceanographictemperature probes, with the help of area lobster fishermen, tolook for answers.