Humpback whale Notcho dies after being hit by a BC Ferries vessel

A dead humpback was seen on Oct 26 near the Grace Islands, where a ferry reported hitting a whale 10 days earlier. Staff on a BC Ferries vessel saw it, and Fisheries and Oceans Canada recovered it.

Researchers matched markings on the pectoral flipper to name the whale Notcho, seen in the area since about 2016. They say it is likely the same whale, though they cannot say so for certain.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada is leading the investigation. BC Ferries says it is reviewing its practices, and researchers point to slow-down zones, whale alert systems and acoustic and infrared detection.