A whale researcher is sharing information about the behaviour of humpback whales in hopes of preventing further whale strikes in B.C.
The number of collisions between watercraft and whales is not necessarily increasing, but such accidents do pose a grave threat to the species when struck, according to Jackie Hildering of the Marine Educational Research Society (MERS).
"We know of at least eight incidents that have been reported from the middle of Vancouver Island up to the north since June,” says Hildering.
Humpback whales can move in unpredictable patterns, and when resting, they sit just below the surface.
"We have a second chance with humpback whales. We need to be good neighbours,” says Hildering. "We need to know how to reduce the risk of collision, and if a collision does happen, we need to report it so that we can be of use, not only to the whales but to our fellow boaters.”
Big, hungry whales
Humpback whales behave very differently than orcas, largely because they do not have bio sonar capability, which makes them oblivious to boats.
Hildering explains how they’re very hungry when they get to B.C. waters, where they try to get fat fast before migrating.
“The big misunderstanding is that humpback whales so often do not know you’re there, not if they’re resting, not if they’re feeding,” she says.
Humpbacks do not travel in a straight line as they follow their food.
“Imagine you were really, really hungry and you’re not paying attention to anything else because there is food,” she says.
An adult humpback whale weighs an average of 74,957 pounds (34,000 kilograms) up to 99,208 pounds (45,000 kg) and reaches a length of 13 metres for males and 14 metres for females.
People might be familiar with the popular saying "if you see a blow go slow," but Hildering said people might not even see a blow from a humpback whale if they aren’t exerting themselves.
“It does demand change on the part of the boaters and we’re very grateful that there are a lot of boaters who are helping with these efforts,” she says.
A whale warning flag has been introduced throughout B.C. and into Washington State to alert other vessels of a whale in the area.
Alert Bay, Quadra Island, Ucluelet
During the spring into the fall and early winter, the chance of being around a humpback whale in B.C. increases.
“The humpbacks could be anywhere on your coast at any time of the year because they don't all leave at the same time,” she says.
Hildering recommends watching for birds. If they’re directed at the water, they can be a giveaway that humpbacks are feeding in the area.
There are popular areas in B.C. where humpback whales are known to go such as around Alert Bay, Quadra Island and Ucluelet. Sightings can be viewed here on the MERS website.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada stated that most sightings with humpback whales are concentrated within 15 to 20 kilometres off shore.
“The more that you know about their behaviour, the more you can reduce the chances of hitting them,” says Hildering.
It is the law to report collisions
Hildering hopes that sharing this information will help eliminate the stigma around reporting whale strikes.
"There needs to be a culture of transparency around reporting collisions, which is the law,” she says.
If a boater collides with a whale or sees one that is injured, that person should call the DFO 24-hour hotline at 1-800-465-4336.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada states that response time can be crucial and is greatly assisted by detailed observation. Prompt reporting ensures that a rapid and effective rescue action can be initiated.
Hildering said when an accident happens, she will be called to observe the whale and monitor its injuries.
"Part of the work that we do is to study the scars of humpbacks so that we have a better idea of how many are getting hit,” she says.
"Humpbacks don't organize in families like orcas do, so if they have a fatal accident, often they just disappear to the bottom of the ocean.”
She does think there is ignorance with some boaters not knowing that it is the law to report a collision with a whale.
“They may go into denial that it happened, or think that the whale is OK,” she says.
When people report a collision, there is respect and gratitude given.
“You have to be vigilant and you have to educate yourself,” she says.
'Nobody wants to hurt a whale'
When asked if people will be fined if they accidentally collide with a whale, she says no.
“I think we live in a world where nobody wants to hurt a whale,” she says. “If there were somehow to be negligent, that the marine mammal regulations national law was not followed, then there could be fines."
Hildering said this is important for a boater's own safety and the whales.
A study released in February 2024 said "The Blob" led to a decline in the humpback whale population.
A total of 56 international authors and more than 4,000 citizen scientists came together for the research paper on North Pacific humpback whales and discovered a 20 per cent decline in the population.
Researchers focused on humpback whales from 2002 through to 2021 and found that the decline was due to a marine heat wave from 2014 to 2016, also referred to as 'The Blob.’
According to DFO in February 2024, boaters must keep 100 metres away from whales, dolphins and porpoises, and keep 200 metres away if they are resting or with a calf.
