B.C. Ferries will adjust the schedule of the Northern Expedition route in northern B.C. starting June 1 to prevent collisions with humpback whales. This change aims to accommodate the slower travel pace needed to minimize whale strikes, according to a B.C. Ferries representative.
The decision 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. Midnight was a familiar presence in the local waters and an integral part of the ecosystem.
The fatal collision with Midnight is part of a concerning trend of humpback strikes in B.C. waters, attributed to the rising numbers of both whales and vessels in the area. The Gitga’at Nation expressed sorrow over the loss, emphasizing the mounting pressures that vessel traffic poses on marine life in their traditional territories.
Despite the implementation of reduced speeds in high marine mammal zones, such as the Wright Sound special operation area, B.C. Ferries admits that on-time arrivals in Prince Rupert have been only 30% consistent. Consequently, adjustments to the scheduled timings are necessary to reflect the slower pace of travel.
While slower speeds can aid in averting collisions, Sean Brillant, a senior conservation biologist with the Canadian Wildlife Federation, cautions that they may not entirely prevent such incidents. Brillant advocates for minimizing vessel presence in whale-populated areas and emphasizes the importance of restricted zones and whale detection technology to mitigate the risks of strikes.
