Two Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) officers were injured in an “incident” between a DFO vessel and a humpback whale along B.C.’s coast this past weekend.
The incident occurred near Calvert Island, about 100 kilometres north of Port Hardy, on Aug. 9.
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“The animal involved in the incident has not yet been identified,” said Fisheries and Oceans Canada in a statement to CHEK News Tuesday. “DFO is working with partners in the B.C. Marine Mammal Response Network to locate and identify the animal and document any injuries.”
A photo shared with CHEK shows a DFO vessel with damage to its front end.
When asked if the “incident” between the vessel and the whale was a crash, DFO said, “At this time, this is all the information DFO is able to provide.”
The extent of the injuries to the fisher officers was not shared Tuesday.
“Our focus at this time is on the health and safety of the fishery officers involved, and protecting their privacy; therefore, no further information will be provided at this time,” said DFO.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada says one of its top priorities remains the conservation and protection of marine mammals.
Anyone who spots a marine mammal in distress, such as by entanglement, harassment or a collision, is asked to call the Fisheries and Ocean’s Observe, Record, Report/Marine Mammal Incident Hotline at 1-800-465-4336 or by email at: DFO.ORR-ONS.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.
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Adam Chan is a Digital News Editor who joined CHEK News in 2023. Previously, he worked as an Associate Digital Editor with CTV News Vancouver Island and Victoria Buzz.
In 2023, he was a recipient of…
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