Another humpback whale found dead in Canadian Pacific waters

A dead humpback whale, known as Polyphemus, washed ashore on Lasqueti Island in British Columbia, drawing attention to the dangers faced by these marine mammals. Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) confirmed the whale was 21 years old and had previously been spotted in 2004. The DFO is conducting an investigation to determine the cause of death, as vessel strikes are a leading threat to humpback whales. Caitlin Birdsall from the Marine Education and Research Society highlighted that many whale deaths go unreported, with injuries from collisions potentially causing delayed fatalities. Earlier this fall, two separate incidents involved whales being struck by vessels, resulting in their deaths.

The DFO recommends that operators reduce vessel speed to 7 knots or less when within 1 km of any whale. This call to action follows an agreement by several shipping companies to slow down their vessels to protect whales until November. The public is urged to report any accidental contact with marine mammals to ensure compliance with regulations and protect wildlife.