B.C. Ferries Slows Down to Protect Humpback Whales on Northern Route
B.C. Ferries is taking meaningful steps to protect humpback whales and other marine mammals along one of British Columbia's most remote and scenic ferry routes — and it means a slower journey for passengers aboard the Northern Expedition.
The ferry, which connects Prince Rupert to Haida Gwaii, is now travelling at reduced speeds through key sections of its route in an effort to lower the risk of collisions with humpback whales. The schedule has been adjusted accordingly to account for the slower travel time.
Why Humpbacks Are a Growing Concern
Humpback whales have made a remarkable comeback in B.C. coastal waters over the past few decades, following the end of commercial whaling. While that recovery is a genuine conservation success story, it also means more whales in busy shipping and ferry lanes — raising the stakes for vessel strikes.
Ship strikes are one of the leading causes of serious injury and death for large whales globally. At high speeds, a collision between a large vessel and a whale is almost always fatal for the animal, and can pose safety risks for the ship as well.
By slowing down, B.C. Ferries is following a well-established principle in marine mammal protection: speed reductions of even a few knots can dramatically cut the likelihood of a deadly encounter.
The Northern Expedition's Unique Route
The Northern Expedition operates along some of the most ecologically rich waters on Canada's Pacific coast. The Inside Passage and surrounding waters off northern B.C. are feeding grounds for multiple whale species, including humpbacks, orcas, and fin whales.
Haida Gwaii itself — the archipelago formerly known as the Queen Charlotte Islands — sits within the traditional territory of the Haida Nation and is considered one of Canada's most biodiverse regions. The surrounding ocean is home to an extraordinary range of marine life, making careful stewardship of the route both an ecological and cultural responsibility.
A Broader Trend in Canadian Marine Policy
B.C. Ferries' decision fits into a wider pattern of marine conservation efforts across Canada. Transport Canada and Fisheries and Oceans Canada have implemented speed restrictions in various zones to protect endangered North Atlantic right whales in the Gulf of St. Lawrence — one of the most aggressive vessel speed management programs in the world.
The lesson learned from the East Coast experience is that voluntary measures often aren't enough. Mandatory slow zones, real-time whale monitoring, and adjustable schedules are increasingly seen as necessary tools for coexistence between marine traffic and whale populations.
Passengers Can Expect Longer Travel Times
For travellers heading to or from Haida Gwaii and Prince Rupert, the schedule changes mean slightly longer crossing times. B.C. Ferries has said the adjusted timetable accounts for the slower speeds, so passengers should check updated schedules before travelling.
It's a small inconvenience for a big payoff — keeping one of Canada's most iconic marine species safer in its own waters.
Source: CBC News British Columbia. Read the original story at cbc.ca.
