Vancouver residents appalled as video of jet ski rider hitting whale goes viral
A video involving a whale and a jet ski that is making the rounds online has led to some pretty appalled reactions from Vancouver residents.
Daily Hive received some tips from a witness who was near Third Beach.
According to the witness, the jet ski driver hit the whale as it came to the surface at around 7:30 p.m. on Monday. The video shows the whale blow, clearly signalling its presence, before the jet ski rider hits it.
The witness said that the jet skier flew off the vehicle after he hit the whale and that he was helped out of the water by boaters nearby. The whale left the immediate area after the incident.
In the video, you can hear witnesses react with sadness and shock.
Someone shared a video on the Vancouver subreddit, saying, “The boat in the background picked him up and called coast guard, and they came and got him. The guy seemed too injured to flee tbh, he was panicking in the water, he took quite an impact I’d imagine.”
They said that cops were on the scene soon after.
Jetski hit grey whale by siwash rock
by
u/Dear_Grocery in
vancouver
Another commenter said that people on the shore were yelling for the jet ski rider to slow down.
@stinkbuttmagoo/Reddit
Other Redditors were shocked by the video, with some saying it was hard to watch.
Canadian laws forbid water users from disturbing marine animals.
The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) says that in Canadian waters, you are required to keep at least 100 metres away from whales, dolphins, and porpoises, and 200 metres away from whales, dolphins, and porpoises that are resting or with a calf.
“The distance requirement is greater for certain marine mammals because of the threats they already face. The minimum approach distances below are based on the best available science,” DFO says.
The DFO specifically says to look out for blows and other indicators of whale presence, and for vessels to slow down and reduce their speed to less than seven knots when within one kilometre of whales.
The DFO also shared a tiny bit of information about the incident with us. The DFO said it will attempt to assess any injuries to the animal if possible.
“It is everyone’s responsibility to know the rules around marine mammal interactions, and illegal activities may be subject to severe penalties,” the DFO said, adding that it is continuing to assess the incident.