No feeding or swimming with the whale in B.C. harbour: Department of Fisheries

COMOX, B.C. — Fisheries and Oceans Canada is asking all vessels to stay out of Comox Harbour unless absolutely necessary while a lone killer whale continues to hang out in the area.

The male transient killer whale known as T73B has been in the harbour for several days, entertaining a growing crowd of onlookers with his breaching and leaping.

The department’s notice to vessel owners says that the whale may approach and interfere with boats in the harbour, which could cause serious damage to their vessels.

The notice says the killer whale eats mammals, and interacting with the whale could increase its risk of habituation and reinforce negative behaviours.

All boaters have been asked not to stop their vessels around the whale, to remain calm if it approaches and to move away or moor as quickly as possible.

The department asked the public to avoid interacting with the whale, including touching, feeding or swimming in its vicinity.

The Canadian Press