OCEAN CHRONICLES
A Second Chance with Giants Humpback Whales off the coast of British Columbia M A RIN E EDUCATI ON AND R E SEAR CH SOC IET Y
Humpback Whale Jigger (BCX1188) breaching
© Marine Education and Research Society taken under Marine Mammal License MML-57
HUMPBACK WHALE POPULATIONS of our coast were
and entanglement in fishing gear, there have also been
devastated by whaling. The last whaling station in BC
very significant human injuries and material loss; for
only closed in 1967. As a result, Humpbacks remained
example: a boater is paralyzed as the result of collision,
an uncommon sight off our coast for many decades.
kayaks are flipped, and motorized vessels disabled.
But, as many of us who are fortunate enough to live on
One of the most common misconceptions about
this coast know, Humpback Whales have made a re-
Humpback Whales and other baleen whales is that they
markable comeback from the brink of extinction. We
know where fishing gear and boats are and that they will
have a second chance with these awe-inspiring giants.
avoid them. But, unlike toothed whales, such as Orca,
It is so important that coastal British Columbians
they do not have the same bio-sonar capabilities.
know the realities resulting from the increased overlap
Humpbacks appear particularly unaware of boats and
between Humpback Whales and human activities. Not
fishing gear when feeding and these whales are very
only do whales die as a result of collision with boats
hungry when they are in the rich, cold waters of BC.
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