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Man prosecuted for speeding through whales
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A British Columbia man has been convicted and fined for driving his boat at full speed through a pod of orcas off the coast of the B.C. mainland. |
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The southern residents are listed as endangered under the Species at Risk Act.
Xi Chang Gao was seen travelling at high speed in Boundary Passage near South Pender Island in his boat. The incident was videotaped by someone aboard a nearby whale-watching vessel and clearly showed Mr Gao either colliding or nearly colliding with the pod. After reviewing the videotape and speaking to witnesses onboard the whale-watching vessel, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans lodged their charge under the Fisheries Act. Mr. Gao, a commercial crab fisherman, was charged with disturbing marine mammals and fined $3,000. He was also charged with failing to keep his books up to date.
Marine Connection’s Liz Sandeman comments “This recent prosecution in British Columbia sends an important message to all marine users that they must behave responsibly around marine mammals. Only a month ago did we have a report of dolphins being harassed down in Cornwall so we urge everyone to contact the Marine Connection if they witness similar incidents to dolphins or whales around the UK coastline”.
However on a more positive note, the charity is delighted to report that there has been a new baby orca born off the west coast of San Juan Island which is a little south of South Pender Island. For now, researchers have called it L111.
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