An advocate concerned about whale conservation points out that numerous ship collisions with these creatures may go unnoticed or unreported, as the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) delves into yet another humpback whale fatality off the coast of British Columbia.
Caitlin Birdsall, who heads the Marine Education and Research Society, reveals the recent discovery of a deceased humpback whale on November 8 near Lasqueti Island in the Georgia Strait close to the Sunshine Coast. This marks the third confirmed humpback whale death since late September. The deceased 21-year-old whale, known as Polyphemus and known to migrate between Hawaii and British Columbia waters, raises questions about the circumstances leading to its demise.
While it remains uncertain if there is a surge in whale deaths due to vessel strikes, as most deceased whales are never recovered, Birdsall notes an uptick in reported incidents over the past few months.
DFO acknowledges that vessel strikes pose a significant threat to humpback whales, whose population has rebounded since the cessation of commercial hunting in the 1960s. Christie McMillan, a DFO researcher conducting whale surveys in the Salish Sea since 2020, estimates that up to 400 humpback whales may be present in the area during the fall season.
Contrary to popular belief, McMillan clarifies that the peak presence of humpback whales occurs in the fall rather than the summer months, particularly in the Salish Sea and the Strait of Georgia. She emphasizes the importance of boaters recognizing that humpback whales inhabit British Columbia waters throughout the year.
The recent series of humpback whale fatalities in the Strait of Georgia has raised concerns about the overlapping human and whale activities in the region. Polyphemus was a familiar sight in the northern Strait of Georgia, with scientists planning a necropsy to determine the cause of death for the well-known whale.
While the exact cause of Polyphemus’ death remains unknown, it has been confirmed that the whale was not one of the two humpbacks recently struck by vessels in the Strait of Georgia.
In a related incident, a humpback whale was discovered dead on September 18, following a reported collision with a B.C. Ferries vessel. Another whale fatality occurred on October 25, shortly after a whale-watching vessel operated by Prince of Whales made contact with the animal.
Birdsall highlights an increase in reported ship strikes lately, attributing this to vessels whose crews are diligent in reporting incidents and being held accountable due to the presence of passengers on board. She mentions that whales struck by vessels may not perish immediately but could succumb to injuries weeks or months later.