PORT
HARDY, BC, Aug. 19, 2024 /CNW/ - Fisheries and Oceans
Canada
Port Hardy - An
investigation by fishery officers from Fisheries and Oceans
Canada's (DFO) Whale Protection Unit, Fraser Coastal Detachment,
has resulted in a hefty fine for Vancouver-based River Road Films Ltd. and
their drone operator for operating a drone too close to Northern
Resident Killer Whales (NRKWs).
On July 2, 2024, River Road Films
Ltd. pleaded guilty to unlawfully capturing drone footage of NRKW
activity by operating too close to a pod at a rubbing beach on
Vancouver Island. "Beach rubbing" is a unique quirk of the
NRKW; they head for shallow waters near the shore, then brush
against the smooth pebbles below –an activity that is thought to
help scrape off dead skin, strengthen family bonds and feel like a
massage.
River Road Films Ltd. was fined $25,000 and prohibited from using or distributing
the drone footage. The drone operator, Mathew Hood, was ordered to pay a fine of
$5,000. Both the film company and the
drone operator are first time offenders. This is the first time a
fine was issued in Canada for the
unlawful use of a drone to capture killer whale footage. Marine
mammals can be disturbed by drones, which are considered to be an
aircraft. Drone pilots must follow the rules in
the Canadian Aviation Regulations and Marine
Mammal Regulations. Under the Marine Mammal
Regulations, it is illegal to approach marine mammals with an
aerial drone at an altitude below 1000 feet (about 304 metres) and
within a half nautical mile (about 926 metres).
DFO has a mandate to protect and conserve marine resources and
to enforce the Fisheries Act. As part of DFO's work to
disrupt and prevent illegal activity, the Department asks the
public for information on activities of this nature or any
contravention of the Fisheries Act and
regulations. Anyone with information can call DFO Pacific Region's
toll-free violation reporting line at 1-800-465-4336, or email the
details to DFO.ORR-ONS.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.
Quick Facts
- In 2020, River Road Films Ltd., and its sister company in the
United Kingdom, applied for a DFO
permit to film Species at Risk Act (SARA) species,
such as killer whales, for a documentary. This application was not
approved.
- In August 2021, the crew of River
Road Films Ltd. were found using drones and underwater video to
capture NRKW activities at a well known rubbing beach on Vancouver
Island.
- In Canada, it's against the
law to disturb a marine mammal and additional guidelines are in
place to protect animal and human health.
- Disturbing includes trying to feed, swim or interact with it,
cause it to move, separate it from its group, get between it and a
calf, trap it between a vessel and the shore, or between another
vessel, and tag or mark it.
- Under the Marine Mammal Regulations, you must stay 400
metres away from all killer whales in southern BC waters or 200
metres from killer whales in all other Canadian Pacific waters; 200
metres away when a whale, dolphin or porpoise is in a resting
position or with a calf; and 100 metres away for other whales,
porpoises and dolphins.
- Fishery officers from DFO's Whale Protection Unit work closely
with enforcement partners, including the Canadian Coast Guard,
Transport Canada, Parks Canada and the Royal Canadian Mounted
Police to enforce the Marine Mammal Regulations.
Associated links
- For more information on Watching marine wildlife
- For more information on the most helpful ways for the public to
report a potential illegal activity: Report a fisheries
violation
Stay Connected
- Follow Fisheries and Oceans Canada
on X, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
- Follow the Canadian Coast Guard
on X, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
SOURCE Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Pacific Region