Marine conservation authorities are on a quest to locate an injured humpback whale that was hit by a B.C. Ferries vessel in Howe Sound over the weekend. The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) reported that the incident involving the Queen of Surrey ferry occurred between Grace Point and Keats Island. Two humpbacks were seen near the ferry at the time, with one being struck.
Passengers on board the ferry, traveling from Langdale on the Sunshine Coast to Horseshoe Bay, described feeling the impact of the collision and witnessing the distressed whale trailing behind the vessel. Aspen Wing, accompanied by her son, recounted hearing shouts about a nearby whale and then spotting the injured humpback off the stern.
B.C. Ferries expressed grave concern over the incident and its potential effects on the whale. According to spokesperson Kit Billings, initial reports indicated that the whale appeared directly in front of the vessel, leaving little time for the crew to react. Efforts are underway to respond to the situation, inform relevant authorities, and gather accurate information on the incident’s repercussions.
The DFO confirmed that B.C. Ferries is cooperating in the investigation. Meanwhile, a crew from the DFO is currently in Howe Sound, working to locate the injured whale. In a related development, nearly a year ago, a humpback whale was struck by a whale-watching company near Keats Island in Howe Sound, leading to the death of a humpback in the same area shortly afterward.
The incident has sparked renewed calls for stricter regulations on vessel speeds in whale habitats. Jackie Hildering from the Marine Education and Research Society emphasized the importance of preventing such tragedies and advocating for reduced vessel speeds in areas frequented by humpbacks. Recent measures, such as limiting speeds to 10 knots in critical whale zones, have shown promise in mitigating fatal collisions.
Hildering stressed the urgency of identifying the whale struck in this recent incident, highlighting the slim chances of its survival. The push for enhanced safety measures aims to avert further harm to marine wildlife and foster positive changes in maritime practices.