Robson Bight
Encyclopedia
Robson Bight is a small Vancouver Island
bay
at the west end of Johnstone Strait
across from West Cracroft Island in British Columbia
, Canada
that includes a protected killer whale habitat famous for its whale-rubbing beaches. The bight
is adjacent to Lower Tsitika River Provincial Park
.
The nearest access point is Telegraph Cove
on the east coast of Northern Vancouver Island; it is five hours north of Nanaimo
.
and 40 km from Port McNeill, British Columbia
, is restricted. Access by boat or land is prohibited. The Robson Bight Warden Program is operated by Cetus Research and Conservation Society. This program educates visitors to the area about the Ecological Reserve and asks visitors to remain outside the Ecological Reserve boundaries. The Reserve extends 1 km offshore from markers at either end of the Reserve. The total area of the reserve, including upland and foreshore, is 5,460 hectares. It is named after the late killer whale researcher Michael Bigg
.
on November 5, 1861 from a fall from a horse after a commendable career.
Vancouver Island
Vancouver Island is a large island in British Columbia, Canada. It is one of several North American locations named after George Vancouver, the British Royal Navy officer who explored the Pacific Northwest coast of North America between 1791 and 1794...
bay
Bay
A bay is an area of water mostly surrounded by land. Bays generally have calmer waters than the surrounding sea, due to the surrounding land blocking some waves and often reducing winds. Bays also exist as an inlet in a lake or pond. A large bay may be called a gulf, a sea, a sound, or a bight...
at the west end of Johnstone Strait
Johnstone Strait
Johnstone Strait is a channel along the north east coast of Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada. Opposite the Vancouver Island coast, running north to south, are Hanson Island, West Cracroft Island, the mainland British Columbia Coast, Hardwick Island, West Thurlow Island and East...
across from West Cracroft Island in British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
that includes a protected killer whale habitat famous for its whale-rubbing beaches. The bight
Bight (geography)
In geography, bight has two meanings. A bight can be simply a bend or curve in any geographical feature—usually a bend or curve in the line between land and water....
is adjacent to Lower Tsitika River Provincial Park
Lower Tsitika River Provincial Park
Lower Tsitika River Provincial Park is a provincial park in British Columbia, Canada.-Geography:The park is 3745 hectares in size. This park protects the lands between three previously established Ecological Reserves, namely Tsitika Mountain Ecological Reserve, Mt...
.
The nearest access point is Telegraph Cove
Telegraph Cove, British Columbia
Telegraph Cove is a community of about 20 on Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada, located approximately northwest of Campbell River. It is a former fishing and cannery village that has become a launch point for eco-tourism...
on the east coast of Northern Vancouver Island; it is five hours north of Nanaimo
Nanaimo, British Columbia
Nanaimo is a city on Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada. It has been dubbed the "Bathtub Racing Capital of the World" and "Harbour City". Nanaimo is also sometimes referred to as the "Hub City" because of its central location on Vancouver Island and due to the layout of the downtown...
.
Ecological Reserve
Robson Bight (Michael Bigg) Ecological Reserve was established in 1982 as a sanctuary for killer whales. The area, 10 km south east of Telegraph CoveTelegraph Cove, British Columbia
Telegraph Cove is a community of about 20 on Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada, located approximately northwest of Campbell River. It is a former fishing and cannery village that has become a launch point for eco-tourism...
and 40 km from Port McNeill, British Columbia
Port McNeill, British Columbia
Port McNeill is a town in the North Island region of Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada with a population of 2,623 . Located on Vancouver Island's north-east shore on Queen Charlotte Strait, it was originally a base camp for loggers, Port McNeill became a settlement in 1936...
, is restricted. Access by boat or land is prohibited. The Robson Bight Warden Program is operated by Cetus Research and Conservation Society. This program educates visitors to the area about the Ecological Reserve and asks visitors to remain outside the Ecological Reserve boundaries. The Reserve extends 1 km offshore from markers at either end of the Reserve. The total area of the reserve, including upland and foreshore, is 5,460 hectares. It is named after the late killer whale researcher Michael Bigg
Michael Bigg
Michael Bigg was a Canadian marine biologist who is recognized as the founder of modern research on killer whales. With his colleagues, he developed new techniques for studying killer whales and conducted the first population census of the animals...
.
Naming
Robson Bight is named for Lieutenant Commander Charles Rufus Robson of the gunboat HMS Forward who died in Victoria, British ColumbiaVictoria, British Columbia
Victoria is the capital city of British Columbia, Canada and is located on the southern tip of Vancouver Island off Canada's Pacific coast. The city has a population of about 78,000 within the metropolitan area of Greater Victoria, which has a population of 360,063, the 15th most populous Canadian...
on November 5, 1861 from a fall from a horse after a commendable career.