The humpback whale known as Midnight was killed after being struck by a BC Ferries vessel on Wednesday, Sept. 17.
Midnight was first sighted in Wright Sound off the coast of Hartley Bay in 2020 and has returned to the area every year for feeding. These whales play an important role in the marine ecosystem.
Over the last two years, at least three whales have been struck by vessels. With the increase of marine traffic, something needs to change to protect the ecosystem, said Gitga’at First Nation Councillor Cam Hill.
“The whales are our relatives. A dead whale is like losing a family member, and I know I don’t like seeing pictures of dead whales. We, as Gitga’at, carry a responsibility to protect them, just as they have always sustained us. The loss of Midnight is heartbreaking, and it shows why vessel traffic must be managed with greater care in our territory.”
The Gitga’at Nation is calling on community and provincial leaders to protect marine life and mitigate events like this from occurring. Protecting marine life is a group effort and the first step is accountability, said Gitga’at Oceans and Lands Department spokesperson Kyle Clifton.
“Something has to be done, especially in this stretch of water during critical times of the year when whales are abundant. BC Ferries does need to take responsibility and work with communities and whale researchers to prevent future incidents. The loss of Midnight is like losing one of our own, and as a community that respects life and death, we cannot let this go unaddressed.”
Protecting these whales from threats such as vessel strikes, entanglement in fishing gear, and increasing marine traffic is critical to maintaining the balance of the ecosystem and supporting the culture of the Gitga’at Nation.
