Latest news with #StephenMichaelWhite
CTV News
10 hours ago
- CTV News
$5K fine, social media ban for B.C. jet skier who got too close to dolphins
Fisheries and Oceans Canada provided this image of a man who was found guilty of disturbing marine mammals. A B.C. man caught jet skiing too close to a pod of dolphins while taking video has been fined $5,000 and banned from posting 'anything' related to marine mammals on social media, according to officials. Stephen Michael White was found guilty of violating federal Marine Mammal Regulations that set minimum 'approach distances' as part of a prohibition disturbing killer whales, dolphins or porpoises, Fisheries and Oceans Canada said in a news release Thursday. 'Mr. White was recorded speeding toward a pod of Pacific white-sided dolphins on his jet ski, coming within just a few feet while filming them on his cellphone – much closer than the 100-metre legal approach distance,' the statement from DFO said. 'The court determined his actions were negligent and reckless.' The incident unfolded in August of 2022 in the Broughton Strait near Port McNeill and was reported 'immediately,' DFO said. White was convicted last year, and the penalties were handed down in provincial court last month. In addition to the fine and social media ban, White was prohibited from 'operating any motorized vessel on water' for a period of six months, the statement from the agency said, adding that White was the first person successfully prosecuted for violating minimum approach distances. DFO's statement also explained some of the risks associated with too-close encounters. 'Toothed whale species, including dolphins and killer whales, rely on echolocating – using sound to navigate their environment,' the agency said. 'Close encounters with a vessel can disrupt their natural behaviours and interfere with essential sound signals used for communication, foraging, and socialization.' The legislated minimum approach distances vary depending on location and type of marine mammal but they apply to all watercraft, as well as swimmers and scuba divers.
CBC
12 hours ago
- CBC
B.C. jet skier fined $5K for approaching dolphins too closely
Social Sharing Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) is reminding people that there are rules around approaching marine mammals after a man was fined $5,000 forgetting too close to a pod of dolphins. Stephen Michael White was fined last month after being found guilty in November 2024 of violating a section of the Marine Mammal Regulations. The incident took place in August 2022, in Broughton Strait near Port McNeill on Vancouver Island's northern coast, according to a media release from DFO. White was recorded speeding toward a pod of Pacific white-sided dolphins on his jet ski, coming within a few feet of the creatures while filming on his phone — much closer than the 100-metre legal approach distance. Witnesses immediately reported the incident. Evidence presented in court included images from White's own social media, as well as testimonies and images from witnesses. The court found his actions to be negligent and reckless, leading to a six-month ban from operating any motorized vessel on water. White is also prohibited from posting anything related to marine mammals to social media. DFO says the case's guilty verdict and court-ordered fine reinforces the rules' importance to prevent disturbances. Under the regulations, disturbances include approaching the animal to feed, swim, or interact with it; move it or cause it to move from the immediate area in which it is found; separate it from members of its group or go between it and its calf; trap it or its group between a vessel and the shore, or between a vessel and one or more other vessels; or approaching the animal to tag and mark it. Toothed-whale species, including dolphins and killer whales, use sound to navigate their environment, also called echolocation. The release says "close encounters with a vessel can disrupt their natural behaviours and interfere with essential sound signals used for communication, foraging, and socialization." DFO is reminding British Columbians and anyone taking to open waters this summer of legal approach distances: 400 metres from all killer whales in southern B.C. coastal waters. 200 metres from all killer whales in all other Canadian Pacific waters, and when a whale, dolphin or porpoise is in a resting position or with a calf. 100 metres away from other whales, porpoises, and dolphins. The restrictions apply to all motorized and self-propelled watercrafts, swimmers, and scuba divers — part of a host of protective measures designed to protect marine mammals in B.C. waters.
Cision Canada
15 hours ago
- Cision Canada
B.C. jet skier fined $5,000 for intentionally approaching marine mammals too closely Français
PORT HARDY, BC, June 19, 2025 /CNW/ - With the arrival of summer on Canada's west coast, residents and tourists are planning to be out on the water. Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) reminds everyone to follow the laws and guidelines about approaching marine mammals, which vary depending on the species. On May 22, 2025, in Campbell River Provincial Court, Stephen Michael White was fined $5,000 after being found guilty in November 2024 of violating Section 7(1) of the Marine Mammal Regulations. Mr. White was recorded speeding toward a pod of Pacific white-sided dolphins on his jet ski, coming within just a few feet while filming them on his cell phone – much closer than the 100 metre legal approach distance. The court determined his actions were negligent and reckless, leading to a six month ban from operating any motorized vessel on water. Additionally, Mr. White was prohibited from posting anything related with marine mammals on social media. Toothed whale species, including dolphins and killer whales, rely on echolocating – using sound to navigate their environment. Close encounters with a vessel can disrupt their natural behaviours and interfere with essential sound signals used for communication, foraging, and socialization. Such interactions also pose health and safety risks to both marine mammals and humans This case marks the first successful prosecution in Canada under the Marine Mammal Regulations' approach distance provisions. The guilty verdict and court-ordered fine reinforce the importance of following marine mammal approach distance regulations to prevent disturbances. DFO protects and conserves marine resources and enforces the Fisheries Act. As part of DFO's work to disrupt and prevent illegal activity, the Department asks the public for information on activities of this nature or any contravention of the Fisheries Act and regulations. Anyone with information can call the DFO Pacific Region's toll-free violation reporting line at 1-800-465-4336, or email the details to [email protected]. Quick Facts The incident occurred in Broughton Strait near Port McNeill on August 30, 2022, and was immediately reported to DFO's incident reporting line by witnesses. The evidence presented in Court included images from Mr. White's own social media posts, as well as testimonies and visuals from witnesses. Under the Marine Mammal Regulations the term "disturbing" includes approaching the marine mammal to: attempt to: feed, swim, or interact with it; move it or entice or cause it to move from the immediate vicinity in which it is found; separate it from members of its group or go between it and a calf; trap it or its group between a vessel and the shore or between a vessel and one or more other vessels; or tag or mark it. Approach distances are: 400m from all killer whales in southern BC Coastal waters; or 200m from killer whales in all other Canadian Pacific waters; 200m away when a whale, dolphin or porpoise is in a resting position or with a calf; and 100m away for other whales, porpoises and dolphins. These restrictions apply to all motorized and self-propelled watercrafts, swimmers, and scuba divers, and are part of a suite of protective measures designed to protect marine mammals in B.C. waters. Stay Connected SOURCE Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Pacific Region
