B.C. Ferries will adjust the schedule of one of its key routes in northern British Columbia to prevent collisions with humpback whales. Effective June 1, the Northern Expedition service connecting Prince Rupert, Haida Gwaii, and Vancouver Island will be modified to accommodate slower travel speeds aimed at minimizing whale strikes. This adjustment follows a tragic incident in September 2025 when a humpback whale, known as Midnight to the Gitga’at First Nation, was struck and killed by a ferry.
The increased incidents of fatal humpback strikes in B.C. waters have been attributed to the rising presence of both whales and vessels in the region. The Gitga’at Nation expressed deep sorrow over the loss of Midnight, emphasizing the mounting pressures that vessel traffic poses on marine life in their traditional territories.
B.C. Ferries has been operating at reduced speeds in areas with significant marine mammal activity, such as the Wright Sound special operation area on the North Coast of British Columbia, after consultations with local First Nations and internal standards. Although this precautionary measure has impacted schedule punctuality, adjustments are being made accordingly.
While decreased speeds can lower the risk of collisions, they may not entirely prevent them, as noted by Sean Brillant, a senior conservation biologist at the Canadian Wildlife Federation. Brillant stressed the importance of avoiding whale-populated areas and implementing detection technology to enhance safety measures and reduce the likelihood of vessel strikes.
The ongoing efforts to mitigate whale strikes underscore the critical need for proactive strategies to safeguard marine wildlife in British Columbia waters.