Episode 15: A Whale of a Career: 28 Years on the Water with Mark Malleson (Part 1)

Welcome to Episode 15 of the Prince of Whales PODcast! This week, we have a very special guest—Mark Malleson, a Zodiac skipper with nearly 28 years of experience at Prince of Wales. Mark has spent thousands of hours on the water and works with the Center for Whale Research on annual orca population surveys. He’s sharing his incredible stories, insights on the changes in the Salish Sea, and what it’s like to dedicate a life to whales.

• (0:34) How Mark became one of the most experienced whale watchers on the coast
• (2:33) Witnessing 70-80 orcas in one unforgettable moment
• (3:42) Over 8,000 trips and the biggest changes in the Salish Sea
• (4:47) The incredible return of humpbacks—and what it means for the ecosystem
• (6:15) Why Bigg’s Killer Whales are thriving while Southern Residents struggle
• (9:04) Advice for anyone wanting to work in whale watching or marine research
• (12:35) Surprising patterns and discoveries from 30 years on the water

Mark has so many stories that we couldn’t fit it all in one episode! Stay tuned for Part 2 in Episode 16, which is coming next week. Don’t forget to subscribe and send us your questions at [email protected] or on Instagram. 🐋✨