B.C. jet skier fined $5K for approaching dolphins too closely

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) is reminding people that there are rules around approaching marine mammals after a man was fined $5,000 for getting 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. 

Don't disrupt marine animals: DFO

Catriona Day, fishery officer with DFO's whale protection unit, said the department is very concerned about boaters getting too close to marine mammals.

"There's many threats that these animals are facing," she said.

The department is not only concerned about physical disturbance, she said, but also "acoustic disturbance."

Toothed-whale species, including dolphins and killer whales, use sound to navigate their environment, called echolocation. Objects get in the way of their ability to communicate, find food, mate and socialize, Day said.

"They are disrupted when we come along and get too close, and it affects their normal life patterns and potentially puts the boater and the health of the marine mammal at risk," she said.

Day noted the case's guilty verdict and court-ordered fine are a reminder to follow the rules around keeping a distance from marine animals.

"This is not a joke. This isn't just to … have a great selfie and a great social media post. You can get in trouble for posting this."

"Enjoy the marine mammals; they are fantastic. They're absolutely a treat that we have in B.C. But enjoy them safely, and responsibly and legally," she added.

Under federal regulations, disturbances include approaching the marine mammal to feed, swim, or interact with it; moving it or causing it to move from the immediate area where it's found; separating it from members of its group or going between it and its calf; trapping 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.

If boaters come across marine animals in the water, Day recommends slowing down and coming to a stop.

"Let the dolphins go away on their own.… It's absolutely illegal to go after dolphins on purpose," she said.

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.

The department is also asking the public for information on similar incidents contravening the Fisheries Act and regulations.