A dead humpback whale found floating in Howe Sound was struck by a B.C. Ferries vessel last week, according to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO).

A humpback whale named 'Notcho' has been confirmed dead following a collision with a BC Ferries vessel, according to the Marine Education and Research Society (MERS). The incident occurred on October 16 when a ferry reportedly struck a whale near the Grace Islands, with blood observed in the water afterward. MERS executive director Caitlin Birdsall stated that while the initial identification of the whale was difficult due to low-quality images, the dead whale found on October 26 near the same location was later identified as Notcho through matching pectoral fin markings with long-term data from the Humpbacks of the Salish Sea project. Notcho, a known humpback whale that migrates between Hawaii and B.C. waters, had been sighted in the area since 2016. Fisheries and Oceans Canada is leading the investigation, while BC Ferries emphasized their commitment to marine safety through crew training, reporting procedures, and operational practices aimed at reducing vessel strikes. Birdsall noted that additional measures such as slow-down zones, whale reporting systems, and detection technologies could further prevent such incidents. The whale's death highlights ongoing challenges in balancing marine transportation with wildlife conservation in B.C.'s coastal waters. MERS and other organizations continue to monitor and advocate for safer practices to protect marine life.

A dead humpback whale has been discovered in the same area where a whale was struck by a B.C. Ferries vessel earlier this week. The incident occurred on October 18 when the ferry Queen of Surrey collided with a whale while traveling between Langdale Terminal on the Sunshine Coast and Horseshoe Bay in West Vancouver. Passengers on board reported feeling the impact, and witnesses described seeing blood in the water following the collision. B.C. Ferries confirmed that crew members spotted the dead whale on Monday and immediately reported it to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO). Lillian Kim of B.C. Ferries expressed that this development is 'very sad,' particularly given the recent collision. The Marine Education and Research Society (MERS) noted that the dead whale, found near the Grace Islands, showed external injuries and lacked a tail. DFO's marine mammal response team is working to confirm if the deceased whale is the same one involved in the October 18 incident. B.C. Ferries stated they are cooperating fully with DFO and will provide any necessary information to support the investigation. The incident has drawn attention to the ongoing risks of vessel-whale collisions in the region, highlighting the need for continued monitoring and potential safety measures to protect marine life. The area where the collision occurred is between Grace Point and Keats Island, a known habitat for humpback whales. This is the second whale-related incident in the area within a short timeframe, raising concerns about the safety of marine mammals in busy waterways. Authorities are urging the public to report any further sightings of marine life in distress to ensure timely intervention.

A humpback whale has been struck by a BC Ferries vessel in the Salish Sea, with marine researchers concerned the collision may have been fatal.

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Despite Eby’s ‘buy Canadian’ focus, a firm with MAGA connections is the likely contract winner.

BC Ferries three former PacifiCat fast ferries being broken up/recycled in Egypt