A jet-ski operator had to be rescued Monday evening after allegedly hitting a whale in Burrard Inlet in Vancouver.
Vancouver police received multiple reports of a jet skier that collided with a whale near Siwash Rock on Monday (May 4) around 7:30 p.m. The jet-ski operator needed to be rescued from the water by a nearby sailboat, ultimately receiving help from the Canadian Coast Guard.
Const. Darren Wong said that police identified and spoke to the operator and multiple witnesses afterward. The incident is under investigation.
Several people have posted videos to social media, showing a whale just surfacing as a the jet-skier appears to hit the whale and crashing immediately after.
Police couldn’t confirm if the whale suffered any injuries.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada, in an email to Black Press Media, said the department is aware of the incident, adding that DFO will attempt to assess the whale for injuries, if possible.
The statement adds that national approach distances remain in place, including 200 metres away when a whale, dolphin or porpoise is in a resting position or with a calf; and 100 metres away for other whales, porpoises and dolphins.
DFO added that Marine Mammal Regulations prohibit disturbance to marine mammals. The regulations apply to all types of watercraft and nautical activities, including boats, kayaks and paddleboards.
Disturbances include: approaching the marine mammal to, or to attempt to: feed it; swim with it or interact with it; move it or entice or cause it to move from the immediate vicinity in which it is found; separate it from members of its group or go between it and a calf; trap it or its group between a vessel and the shore or between a vessel and one or more other vessels; or tag or mark it.
People can report possible instances of whales being harassed or disturbed, and possible collisions or entanglements, to DFO’s Observe, Record, Report/Marine Mammal Incident Hotline at 1-800-465-4336 or DFO.ORR-ONS.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada uses data from these reports to track occurrences each year and guide its response planning.