Latest news with #marineMammals
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.
CBC
14 hours ago
- CBC
B.C. jet skier fined $5K for approaching dolphins too closely
Social Sharing Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) is reminding people that there are rules around approaching marine mammals after a man was fined $5,000 forgetting too close to a pod of dolphins. Stephen Michael White was fined last month after being found guilty in November 2024 of violating a section of the Marine Mammal Regulations. The incident took place in August 2022, in Broughton Strait near Port McNeill on Vancouver Island's northern coast, according to a media release from DFO. White was recorded speeding toward a pod of Pacific white-sided dolphins on his jet ski, coming within a few feet of the creatures while filming on his phone — much closer than the 100-metre legal approach distance. Witnesses immediately reported the incident. Evidence presented in court included images from White's own social media, as well as testimonies and images from witnesses. The court found his actions to be negligent and reckless, leading to a six-month ban from operating any motorized vessel on water. White is also prohibited from posting anything related to marine mammals to social media. DFO says the case's guilty verdict and court-ordered fine reinforces the rules' importance to prevent disturbances. Under the regulations, disturbances include approaching the animal to feed, swim, or interact with it; move it or cause it to move from the immediate area in which it is found; separate it from members of its group or go between it and its calf; trap it or its group between a vessel and the shore, or between a vessel and one or more other vessels; or approaching the animal to tag and mark it. Toothed-whale species, including dolphins and killer whales, use sound to navigate their environment, also called echolocation. The release says "close encounters with a vessel can disrupt their natural behaviours and interfere with essential sound signals used for communication, foraging, and socialization." DFO is reminding British Columbians and anyone taking to open waters this summer of legal approach distances: 400 metres from all killer whales in southern B.C. coastal waters. 200 metres from all killer whales in all other Canadian Pacific waters, and when a whale, dolphin or porpoise is in a resting position or with a calf. 100 metres away from other whales, porpoises, and dolphins. The restrictions apply to all motorized and self-propelled watercrafts, swimmers, and scuba divers — part of a host of protective measures designed to protect marine mammals in B.C. waters.
RNZ News
04-06-2025
- General
- RNZ News
Seal silly season: What you need to know as seal population bounces back
Seal at Bunnings Whangarei. Photo: DOC/Supplied Seal and sea lion populations are making a comeback around the country, with many returning to their historic home of New Zealand's mainlands. It's also seal silly season, meaning young pups are venturing off on their own for the very first time. They could show up on roads, be chilling in paddocks and even have a wander around Bunnings. But as seal silly season hits and the populations grow, so do our encounters. The Department of Conservation (DOC) and Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency have now launched a nation-wide project to track the seals appearing near roads and are asking the public for help. "We're asking people to report sightings of seals, fur seals or sea lions on or near roads," marine senior technical advisor for the Department of Conservation Jody Weir said. "Your sightings-date, location, even a photo if it's safe- will help us map hotspots and understand the risks. It's a great example of how citizen science could make a real difference." Sightings reported to DOC before 22 June will help shape the initial national road risk model. Photo: DOC/Supplied The project aims to analyse the road-related risks for marine mammals like seals, and its findings will help with road planning and improvements, and help to find high-risk zones. "We're thrilled to see populations recovering, but that success comes with new challenges," Weir said. "We want to protect these taonga species while also keeping people safe. That means understanding where the key hot spots are and planning smarter." Kaikōura is a prime success story with key hot spots - where fur seals were getting onto SH1 - found, resulting in infrastructure upgrades to help protect the animals and drivers. The Department of Conservation (DOC) and Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency have launched a nation-wide project to track the seals appearing near roads. Photo: DOC/Supplied "These young fur seals are out exploring their wider world while their mums are busy at sea getting food to be able to nurse that rapidly growing pup and grow the developing foetus inside her. "It's an important stage of development, but it also means they can end up in unusual-and sometimes risky-places. By reporting sightings, you're helping us look out for them during this vulnerable time," Weir said. Sightings reported to [seeaseal@ DOC] before 22 June will help shape the initial national road risk model. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
CBS News
04-06-2025
- Health
- CBS News
Deadly toxic algae bloom off Southern California coast ends
The toxic algae bloom off the Southern California coast that's been killing and sickening so many sea lions and other marine mammals has finally ended. "Our demoic acid toxic hostess event is over, for the time being," biologist Dave Bader said. Bader, who works for San Pedro's Marine Mammal Care Center, said recent samples of the ocean water do not show signs of the algae that create the toxic domoic acid bloom that has been afflicting sea lions, dolphins, pelicans and even whales over the past three months. "It's been rough," Bader said. "We've seen so many animals." For those three months, Bader and his team have triaged and treated thousands of animals that were seizing, dying or dead on beaches from Ventura to Orange County. Rescue centers shared the burden and pain during the toxic algae bloom. "It's not just the volume of animals," Bader said. "The females were pregnant, almost all of them, they all aborted their young ... Also, there were so many dolphins this time around as well, which is also tragic. So to see the volume of animals, the types of animals that are coming in, it was really hard on everybody." Typically, the algae blooms begin in June. However, this round of domoic acid spread began much earlier and has the possibility of returning later this year, according to Bader. "We still have another several months when a bloom of this type could reoccur," he said. Bader said humans created this crisis, and can ultimately solve it. "We need to do a better job of mitigating against the future effects of climate change, making it not as bad as it could be. That's step number one," he said. "It's a big step that we have to take. The ocean is telling us it's not well, it's not healthy, and we have to take those big steps to solve problems like this."
BBC News
27-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Portstewart Strand: Dead minke whale removed from County Londonderry beach
A dead minke whale has been removed from Portstewart Strand in County Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Daera) said the whale washed up on the beach on Sunday National Trust said it worked with a range of agencies and marine mammal experts to follow protocol, removing and disposing of the whale on Tuesday afternoon. "It was important the removal happened as quickly as possible as decaying marine mammals pose a serious health risk," a spokesperson added. Laurence Ghisoiu, senior visitor experience officer for the National Trust, told BBC News NI the last time a whale was beached on Portstewart Strand was in then, it was taken to landfill. While minke whales are known to be among the smallest, they can grow to about 35 ft (10m) and weigh up to 20,000 lb (9,000 kg).The species can usually be seen between July and October in UK waters and live for up to 50 can come ashore for many reasons, including injury, illness, bad weather and navigational errors leading them into shallow water.
