A company specializing in whale-watching reported that one of its boats encountered a humpback whale that unexpectedly emerged in its path near Vancouver. The company, Prince of Whales, stated that its vessel swiftly maneuvered to avoid the whale, resulting in minimal contact. The incident caused some passengers on board to fall and sustain minor injuries, with four individuals receiving medical treatment at Granville Island before being transported to the hospital in stable condition.
The Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) confirmed receiving a report of a collision between a humpback whale and a whale-watching vessel in Howe Sound. Despite the collision, the whale was observed surfacing three times afterward. The DFO mentioned that the identity of the whale has not been verified, and the company is cooperating with the investigation.
This incident follows a recent occurrence where a high-speed passenger ferry near Vancouver collided with a humpback whale in English Bay. Subsequently, a humpback calf with a noticeable wound near its dorsal fin was identified as the whale involved in the collision.
Humpback whales are known to be at high risk of ship strikes and fishing gear entanglement, as highlighted by the DFO. The probability and severity of such collisions depend on various factors such as whale density, ship traffic, and vessel size and speed. Recent data indicates a significant presence of humpback whales in the southern Salish Sea during the fall season, with an estimated 416 individual whales frequenting Canadian waters from Vancouver to the western end of the Juan de Fuca Strait.
Given the heightened whale activity in the region, especially in the southern Strait of Georgia off Vancouver, where ferry routes and whale-watching are prevalent, DFO has advised enforcement officers and the Pacific Whale Watch Association to remain vigilant for injured animals. Adverse weather conditions are expected over the weekend, prompting increased monitoring efforts.