by Craig Takeuchi on April 14th, 2021 at 3:12 PM 1 of 3 2 of 3
Boaters and those on the waters near Vancouver are asked to take precautions as an injured whale has been spotted swimming nearby.
Ocean Wise stated in a news release today (April 14) that a humpback whale was observed with a deep cut in its tailstock. The injury is believed to be a strike wound from a vessel.
The whale had been observed in waters near Point Grey since early April. However, a whale watching vessel crew photographed the whale on April 11 with a deep laceration behind its dorsal fin.
Ocean Wise, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Prince of Whales, Ocean Ecoventures, and the Humpback Whales of the Salish Sea Project are monitoring the whale.
Sydni Long writes about her experience using citizen-reported sightings for the Ocean Bridge program
The last day in the field. (Photo: Karina Dracott)
February 12, 2021
For as long as I can remember I have wanted to work in ocean conservation. Gaining relevant experience in the field, however, remained a mystery. Like a planktonic jelly adrift in the ocean, I was in the right place but unsure of my direction. Then, along came the Ocean Bridge Direct Action program, an immersive opportunity to work with a marine conservation organization and gain experience in the field I am passionate about. I was given a placement with the North Coast Cetacean Research Initiative (NCCRI) in Prince Rupert, researching local populations of whales, dolphins, and porpoise and assisting the B.C. Cetacean Sightings Network.
The desk will report whale sightings in real time and advise vessel traffic using radar and automatic identification systems. Violations will be reported to Transport Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s Conservation and Protection branch and Parks Canada, for disciplinary action. The Marine Mammal Desk will also take reports of southern resident orcas and other cetacean sightings from coast guard vessels, light stations and aircraft. The information will be forwarded to on-water enforcement agencies to ensure the protection of the mammals as well as reported to the B.C. Cetacean Sightings Network. The new desk will also act as a backup to reporting systems, such as the Marine Mammal Incident Reporting Hotline operated by Fisheries and Oceans Canada. Mariners and the public can call the hotline to report injured, sick, distressed or deceased marine mammals.
Coast Guard Ramps up Protections for BC Whales
The Canadian Coast Guard has established a first-of-its-kind division to elevate safeguards against human-caused deaths and injuries to whales in B.C. waters.
Staffed 24/7, the Marine Mammal Desk will report sightings in real time to advise vessel traffic on the activities of whales to help reduce collisions and net entanglements. The information will be shared with enforcement agencies for rapid responses to vessels in restricted areas like the Southern Resident Killer Whale Interim Sanctuary Zones.
“I’m so proud that today Canada will be home to the first Marine Mammal Desk. This is an exciting innovation that will allow us to track and report of whale sightings in real time. The Southern Resident Killer Whale is an icon of our pacific coast, and we want to see its population protected and revived for generations to come,” said Bernadette Jordan, minister of fisheries, oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard.