Latest news with #MarineMammalRegulations
Hamilton Spectator
11 hours ago
- Hamilton Spectator
Man seen ‘speeding toward' dolphins in B.C. waters fined $5,000
PORT HARDY - A man seen speeding on a Jet Ski towards a pod of Pacific white sided dolphins has been fined $5,000 and has been banned from posting anything related to marine mammals on social media. The man was found guilty last November in B.C. provincial court for violating marine mammal regulations after his trial heard he raced towards the pod and came within metres of them while filming on his cellphone. Witnesses said the man, who was in the waters near Port McNeill off northeastern Vancouver Island in August 2022, was much closer than the 100-metre legal distance required to stay away from dolphins. The Fisheries Department says in a statement released Thursday that the court ruled in a decision last month that the man's actions were 'negligent and reckless.' In addition to the fine and not posting about marine mammals on social media six months, he also faces a six-month prohibition from operating any motorized vessel on water. The department says the case is the first successful prosecution in Canada under Marine Mammal Regulations over distance provisions keeping vessels away from marine wildlife. The statement says dolphins and killer whales relying on echolocating to navigate their environment and close encounters with a vessels can disrupt their natural behaviour and interfere with signals they use to forage and socialize. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 19, 2025. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
National Observer
11 hours ago
- National Observer
Man seen 'speeding toward' dolphins on Jet Ski fined $5,000
A man seen speeding on a Jet Ski towards a pod of Pacific white sided dolphins has been fined $5,000 and has been banned from posting anything related to marine mammals on social media. The man was found guilty last November in B.C. provincial court for violating marine mammal regulations after his trial heard he raced towards the pod and came within metres of them while filming on his cellphone. Witnesses said the man, who was in the waters near Port McNeill off northeastern Vancouver Island in August 2022, was much closer than the 100-metre legal distance required to stay away from dolphins. The Fisheries Department says in a statement released Thursday that the court ruled in a decision last month that the man's actions were "negligent and reckless." The statement doesn't say how long the man will have to refrain from posting about marine mammals on social media, but he also faces a six-month prohibition from operating any motorized vessel on water. It says the case is the first successful prosecution in Canada under Marine Mammal Regulations over distance provisions keeping vessels away from marine wildlife. It statement says dolphins and killer whales relying on echolocating to navigate their environment and close encounters with a vessels can disrupt their natural behaviour and interfere with signals they use to forage and socialize.
Vancouver Sun
11 hours ago
- Vancouver Sun
Man seen 'speeding toward' dolphins in B.C. waters fined $5,000
PORT HARDY — A man seen speeding on a Jet Ski towards a pod of Pacific white sided dolphins has been fined $5,000 and has been banned from posting anything related to marine mammals on social media. The man was found guilty last November in B.C. provincial court for violating marine mammal regulations after his trial heard he raced towards the pod and came within metres of them while filming on his cellphone. Witnesses said the man, who was in the waters near Port McNeill off northeastern Vancouver Island in August 2022, was much closer than the 100-metre legal distance required to stay away from dolphins. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. The Fisheries Department says in a statement released Thursday that the court ruled in a decision last month that the man's actions were 'negligent and reckless.' The statement doesn't say how long the man will have to refrain from posting about marine mammals on social media, but he also faces a six-month prohibition from operating any motorized vessel on water. It says the case is the first successful prosecution in Canada under Marine Mammal Regulations over distance provisions keeping vessels away from marine wildlife. It statement says dolphins and killer whales relying on echolocating to navigate their environment and close encounters with a vessels can disrupt their natural behaviour and interfere with signals they use to forage and socialize.
Winnipeg Free Press
12 hours ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Man seen ‘speeding toward' dolphins in B.C. waters fined $5,000
PORT HARDY – A man seen speeding on a Jet Ski towards a pod of Pacific white sided dolphins has been fined $5,000 and has been banned from posting anything related to marine mammals on social media. The man was found guilty last November in B.C. provincial court for violating marine mammal regulations after his trial heard he raced towards the pod and came within metres of them while filming on his cellphone. Witnesses said the man, who was in the waters near Port McNeill off northeastern Vancouver Island in August 2022, was much closer than the 100-metre legal distance required to stay away from dolphins. The Fisheries Department says in a statement released Thursday that the court ruled in a decision last month that the man's actions were 'negligent and reckless.' The statement doesn't say how long the man will have to refrain from posting about marine mammals on social media, but he also faces a six-month prohibition from operating any motorized vessel on water. It says the case is the first successful prosecution in Canada under Marine Mammal Regulations over distance provisions keeping vessels away from marine wildlife. It statement says dolphins and killer whales relying on echolocating to navigate their environment and close encounters with a vessels can disrupt their natural behaviour and interfere with signals they use to forage and socialize. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 19, 2025.
CTV News
12 hours ago
- CTV News
$5K fine, social media ban for B.C. jet skier who got too close to dolphins
Fisheries and Oceans Canada provided this image of a man who was found guilty of disturbing marine mammals. A B.C. man caught jet skiing too close to a pod of dolphins while taking video has been fined $5,000 and banned from posting 'anything' related to marine mammals on social media, according to officials. Stephen Michael White was found guilty of violating federal Marine Mammal Regulations that set minimum 'approach distances' as part of a prohibition disturbing killer whales, dolphins or porpoises, Fisheries and Oceans Canada said in a news release Thursday. 'Mr. White was recorded speeding toward a pod of Pacific white-sided dolphins on his jet ski, coming within just a few feet while filming them on his cellphone – much closer than the 100-metre legal approach distance,' the statement from DFO said. 'The court determined his actions were negligent and reckless.' The incident unfolded in August of 2022 in the Broughton Strait near Port McNeill and was reported 'immediately,' DFO said. White was convicted last year, and the penalties were handed down in provincial court last month. In addition to the fine and social media ban, White was prohibited from 'operating any motorized vessel on water' for a period of six months, the statement from the agency said, adding that White was the first person successfully prosecuted for violating minimum approach distances. DFO's statement also explained some of the risks associated with too-close encounters. 'Toothed whale species, including dolphins and killer whales, rely on echolocating – using sound to navigate their environment,' the agency said. 'Close encounters with a vessel can disrupt their natural behaviours and interfere with essential sound signals used for communication, foraging, and socialization.' The legislated minimum approach distances vary depending on location and type of marine mammal but they apply to all watercraft, as well as swimmers and scuba divers.
