Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) recently reported that two of its officers sustained injuries during an unexpected encounter with a humpback whale along the coast of British Columbia.
According to the agency, the incident took place last Sunday near Calvert Island, situated just north of Vancouver Island. The specific whale involved in the encounter has yet to be identified, as DFO collaborates with the B.C. Marine Mammal Response Network to locate the animal, assess any potential injuries, and gather essential information.
Details regarding the injuries sustained by the officers have not been disclosed. DFO emphasized their primary focus on the well-being and safety of the officers, prioritizing their privacy. Consequently, the department has refrained from sharing further details at this time.
While Fisheries and Oceans has not officially determined the exact circumstances of the incident, including whether it resulted from a vessel strike, the non-profit organization Ocean Wise highlights the increasing threat of vessel strikes to whales. Global shipping traffic has surged by 300% over the past two decades, posing a significant danger to marine mammals. Sadly, many of these incidents go unnoticed by boat operators.
In response to such incidents, DFO urges the public to promptly report any collisions with whales to its marine mammal incident hotline at 1-800-465-4336.
