A company specializing in whale-watching reported that one of its vessels came into contact with a humpback whale that unexpectedly surfaced near Vancouver on Thursday afternoon. The company, Prince of Whales, stated that the vessel swiftly maneuvered to avoid the whale, resulting in minimal contact. The incident caused some passengers to fall and sustain injuries as the vessel abruptly stopped. Emergency medical treatment was provided to four injured individuals on Granville Island, who were later transported to the hospital in stable condition.
The Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) received a report of the collision between a whale-watching vessel and a humpback whale in Howe Sound. Following the collision, the whale was observed surfacing three times. The DFO noted that the whale’s identity has not been confirmed and stated that the company is cooperating fully.
This incident follows a previous collision where a high-speed passenger ferry between Vancouver and Nanaimo struck a humpback whale in English Bay. Subsequently, a humpback calf with a significant wound near its dorsal fin was identified as the whale involved in the previous collision.
Humpback whales are known to be at risk of ship strikes and entanglement in fishing gear, as highlighted by recent research findings. The DFO emphasized the susceptibility of humpback whales to ship strikes, citing factors such as whale density, ship traffic, boat size, and speed. The southern Salish Sea has seen a rise in humpback numbers during the fall season, with an estimated 416 humpback whales frequenting Canadian waters from Vancouver to the western end of the Strait of Juan de Fuca.
DFO has issued alerts to enforcement officers and the Pacific Whale Watch Association to remain vigilant for injured marine animals due to expected adverse weather conditions.