Marine conservation authorities are currently on the lookout for an injured humpback whale following a collision with a B.C. Ferries vessel in Howe Sound on Sunday. The incident, involving the Queen of Surrey vessel, occurred between Grace Point and Keats Island, as reported by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO). Two humpback whales were spotted near the ferry at the time, with one of them being struck.
Passengers on board the ferry, traveling from Langdale on the Sunshine Coast to Horseshoe Bay, felt the impact of the collision and witnessed the distressed whale trailing behind the vessel. Aspen Wing, who was traveling with her son, recounted feeling the collision at 1:33 p.m. PT. She mentioned that her son alerted her to the injured humpback whale in the wake of the ship, causing distress among many passengers who observed the distressing scene.
B.C. Ferries expressed deep concern over the incident and its potential impact on the whale, emphasizing the limited reaction time for the crew as the whale emerged directly in front of the vessel. The focus has been on responding to the situation, informing the relevant authorities, and gathering accurate information regarding the incident and its repercussions on the whale, according to spokesperson Kit Billings.
Canada’s Marine Mammal Regulations stipulate that vessel operators involved in whale contact must promptly notify DFO. Currently, a DFO team is in Howe Sound searching for the injured whale. Notably, almost a year ago, a humpback whale was struck by a whale-watching company near Keats Island, resulting in the unfortunate death of another humpback in the same vicinity a few days later.
Various incidents of whale strikes have been reported in different coastal areas recently, underscoring the need for preventive measures. The Marine Education and Research Society is advocating for slower vessel speeds in whale habitats to mitigate such occurrences. Efforts are underway to ascertain the identity of the struck whale, with experts expressing skepticism about its survival given the circumstances.