Two fisheries officers were injured after their vessel hit a humpback whale near Calvert Island. Officials are now searching for the whale.
Two officers injured after whale encounter
Two Fisheries and Oceans Canada officers are recovering after their vessel collided with a humpback whale off British Columbia’s central coast.
The incident happened on Aug. 9 near Calvert Island. However, officials have not yet identified the whale involved.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada is now working with the B.C. Marine Mammal Response Network to locate the animal. The team also wants to check whether the whale suffered any injuries.
Officials keep details private
The department has not released details about the officers’ injuries.
Mo Qutob, a Fisheries and Oceans Canada spokesperson, said the agency’s first concern is the officers’ health and safety. Their privacy will also be protected.
As a result, no further details about their condition were released.
The department is part of the B.C. Marine Mammal Response Network. The group brings together agencies and marine experts to help whales and other marine mammals in trouble.
Whale rescues continue off B.C.
The latest collision comes after a busy summer for whale rescue teams.
In July, network members helped free two humpback whales from discarded fishing gear off Vancouver Island. The rescues happened on the same day and highlighted the risks that marine debris can pose to whales.
Meanwhile, Fisheries and Oceans Canada says protecting marine mammals remains a key priority.
The department is also asking people to report whales that may have been disturbed or hit by vessels. This information can help response teams act quickly.
Humpback numbers are rising
The encounter also comes as humpback whales continue to return to B.C. waters in growing numbers.
Researchers say better food supplies and conservation work have helped the species recover. Once uncommon in the region, humpbacks are now seen in large numbers during their summer migration.
According to the Pacific Whale Watch Association, just one humpback was recorded in the Salish Sea in 1997. Today, hundreds can pass through the area during the summer.
However, the comeback also brings new risks.
Last fall, two humpback whales were struck in separate ferry incidents between Vancouver Island and mainland B.C.
A reminder for boaters
The latest incident serves as a clear reminder: whales and vessels share busy coastal waters.
For now, response teams are focused on finding the whale involved in the Calvert Island collision. They will also assess its condition and determine whether it needs help.
Calvert Island sits about 80 kilometres north of Port Hardy, along B.C.’s central coast.
