A dead humpback whale has been found near where a BC Ferries\u2019 vessel hit a whale earlier this month.<\/p>\n
On Oct. 19, the Marine Education and Resource Society (MERS) shared that BC Ferries had reported to Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) that the Queen of Surrey hit a whale between Gambier and Keats islands.<\/p>\n
\u201cAccording to witness accounts from passengers on the ferry, the whale surfaced in front of the bow, travelling from right to left,\u201d MERS said in the Oct. 19 post. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe whale then surfaced behind the ferry, thrashing, with red visible in the water. Passenger accounts indicate that the ferry did not slow after the collision and that there was no communication to passengers about the impact they felt or what follow-up actions might be taken.\u201d<\/p>\n
Now, MERS has updated that a dead humpback whale has been found by the Grace Islands, which is just south of Gambier Island.<\/p>\n
Caitlin Birdsall, executive director of MERS, says DFO is responding to the report of the deceased humpback whale.<\/p>\n
\u201cA deceased humpback whale we are learning has been found in the same general area where that strike happened,\u201d Birdsall said in a Zoom interview with CHEK News on Oct. 27. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt sounds like the whale was first detected last night, and that there are some recovery efforts by Fisheries and Oceans Canada to find and retrieve that carcass today.\u201d<\/p>\n
CHEK News has reached out to DFO for more information.<\/p>\n
BC Ferries says it is aware of the reports of the deceased humpback whale, and one of its crews spotted the whale and reported it to DFO.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a very sad development, particularly following the collision involving the Queen of Surrey on October 18. We recognize the concern this raises,\u201d BC Ferries says.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt this point, we don\u2019t know whether this is the same whale involved in the collision or what caused its death. We continue to cooperate fully with DFO and will provide whatever information we can to support their assessment.\u201d<\/p>\n
At the time of the collision, BC Ferries said it was concerned about the incident.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are deeply concerned about this incident and the potential impact on the whale,\u201d BC Ferries said in a statement to CHEK News on Oct. 19.<\/p>\n
\u201cBased on initial reports, the whale surfaced directly in front of the vessel, leaving the crew with very little time to react.\u201d<\/p>\n
The company also said it recognizes \u201chow upsetting this is, particularly for those who witnessed the collision, including our crews.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThey work on these waters every day and care deeply about protecting the marine life around them,\u201d BC Ferries said in the Oct. 19 statement.<\/p>\n
At the time, MERS said it feared the collision was fatal.<\/p>\n
READ PREVIOUS: Humpback whale struck by BC Ferries vessel near Sunshine Coast, researchers fear collision was fatal<\/a><\/p>\n MERS also noted this collision is in the same area that a Prince of Whales boat hit a humpback in October 2025.<\/p>\n