B.C. jet skier fined $5,000 for intentionally approaching marine mammals too closely

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 DFO.ORR-ONS.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.

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.

Associated Links

• For more on Watching marine wildlife
• For more information on the most helpful ways for the public to report a potential illegal activity in British Columbia and Yukon
• Be Whale Wise Guidelines
• Marine Mammal Regulations

Stay Connected

• Follow Fisheries and Oceans Canada on X, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.
• Follow the Canadian Coast Guard on X, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.

SOURCE Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Pacific Region