A Canadian whale watching company in British Columbia is deeply saddened by the tragic discovery of a deceased humpback whale that may have been hit by one of its own vessels.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada is currently conducting an investigation following the sighting of the whale’s body off Keats Island in Howe Sound. However, specific details regarding the circumstances of the whale’s passing remain unknown at this time, with confirmation of its death coming on a Saturday.
The Prince of Whales company has acknowledged that one of its boats had an unexpected encounter with a humpback whale on a Thursday afternoon near the location where the deceased whale was subsequently located.
Initially, the company reported minimal contact with the whale, but in a recent update, they clarified that not all parts of the whale were visible during the incident. Based on the timing and location of the discovery of the deceased whale, Prince of Whales believes it to be the same animal involved in the collision.
According to the company, the incident occurred while their vessel was not actively observing whales, and the humpback surfaced directly in the path of the boat. Despite performing an emergency stop, the vessel made contact with the whale.
Prince of Whales has identified the deceased humpback, found at Keats Island, as a four-year-old nicknamed Wisp, based on shared social media images.
Expressing profound sorrow, the company emphasized its longstanding commitment to whale conservation and marine life protection. They highlighted the unpredictable nature of whale behavior and urged all boat operators to exercise caution and vigilance in marine environments.
The sudden stop caused passengers on the vessel to fall, with three requiring medical attention upon their return to Vancouver.
Recent incidents have highlighted the growing concern of humpback whales being struck by vessels. Another humpback calf was observed with a significant injury after a ferry collision in Vancouver’s English Bay, while a separate humpback fatality was reported following a strike by a BC Ferries crew in Wright Sound near Prince Rupert earlier in September.
Prince of Whales stated its cooperation with federal authorities in the ongoing investigation, emphasizing the rising population of humpback whales along British Columbia’s coast and the escalating threat of vessel strikes as a major concern.