A humpback whale was reportedly hit by a B.C. Ferries vessel Wednesday night off B.C.'s North Coast, about 130 kilometres southeast of Prince Rupert. On Thursday morning, a humpback was found dead near the same area, according to the ferry service.

"We are saddened to report that last night one of our vessels believes it made contact with a humpback whale in Wright Sound," said B.C. Ferries spokesperson Ceilidh Marlow in an emailed statement Thursday.

Marlow said the incident was immediately reported to Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), local First Nations and marine researchers.

Researchers found a dead humpback around 10:30 a.m. PT Thursday near where the vessel is believed to have hit the whale, Marlow said.

She added DFO will co-ordinate a necropsy to determine the cause of death

See Full Page