Past belugas died due to human interaction, DFO says

The Department of Fisheries and Oceans says that the amount and types of human interaction with a juvenile beluga whale who has been hanging out in the waters in Grates Cove have increased to the point where DFO is concerned for the health and safety of the animal.

A statement Friday from DFO said the whale’s “normal life process” is being disturbed by scuba divers.

The federal department even released a series of graphic photos to illustrate what can happen to whales if they become too accustomed to humans, including one incident in 2002 in which a beluga was killed after being struck by a boat in Calvert.

The whale surfaced below a fishing vessel at the wharf and was cut to pieces by the engine’s propeller.

DFO is hoping to save this beluga from a similar fate.

“We are asking the public to refrain from swimming or otherwise interacting with the beluga whale in Grates Cove. Human interaction is disturbing the normal life processes of this animal, which may ultimately result in its injury or death. By remaining in the area, this juvenile beluga is unlikely to rejoin its pod and has a greater likelihood of being struck by the prop of a boat causing injuries or death,” DFO says in an email provided to Canada Journal about the issue.

Under the Marine Mammal Regulations of the Fisheries Act, it is illegal to disturb a marine mammal. People caught doing so will be investigated and can face possible arrest and prosecution.

Agencies/Canadajournal