The British Columbia Marine Mammal Response Network (BCMMRN) is a collaborative program between government agencies, research, conservation and outreach groups, wildlife rescue organizations and BC citizens. Formed in 2008, BCMMRN is a regional network within the larger Canadian Marine Animal Response Alliance. The BCMMRN is led by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) and consists of at least eight non-governmental organizations, including SIMRS, that respond to over 350 calls annually. The BCMMRN aims to promote conservation and protection of marine mammals and sea turtles in British Columbia waters. 

OUR ROLE

For over 25 years, we have responded to numerous marine mammal incidences including entanglements, vessel strikes, and necropsies. Our goals are to provide direct assistance for responding to marine mammal incidents, to conduct research and monitoring of these incidents, and to promote public awareness of threats to marine mammals. By working with BCMMRN and our partner organizations, we aim to reduce harmful incidents involving marine animals in our region.

THREATS TO MARINE MAMMALS

Marine mammals play an essential role in the marine environment; as top predators they help create a balance in the food web and the ocean's ecosystems. Unfortunately, marine mammals, including large whales and sea lions, are susceptible to many natural and human-caused pressures in the ocean. In fact, over half of the cetaceans and sea turtles in BC waters are listed under the Species at Risk Act (SARA) as Endangered, Threatened or Special Concern.

To see which aquatic species are SARA-listed, visit http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/species-especes/index-eng.htm.

Both SARA listed species and other marine mammals are subject to a number of threats that effect their welfare and health including entanglements in fishing gear, depletion of prey, acoustic disturbances, strandings, small population sizes, collisions with vessels, climate change, over hunting, plastic and chemical pollution, habitat degradation, and illnesses.

BC MARINE MAMMAL RESPONSE NETWORK TOFINO

WHAT TO DO IF YOU FIND AN ENTANGLED WHALE:

  • With great urgency, report the entanglement with location to the DFO Incident Line / VHF 16 or call 1-800-465-4336.

  • If at all possible, remain with the whale at a distance until trained help arrives or another boat takes over tracking, otherwise the chances of relocating the whale are greatly diminished.

  • Take whatever video/photos are possible but maintain a distance that doesn't stress the whale.

  • Do NOT attempt to remove any fishing gear or rope from the whale as it risks human and whale safety (has led to human death). Professional training and equipment are needed to assess the entanglement and proceed safely with the greatest chance of success. Often, much of the fishing gear in which the whale is entangled is not visible at the surface.

  • Trailing gear at the surface provides the opportunity for trained responders to attach a tag to track the whale and/or to attach floatation to maintain contact with and slow down an entangled whale. Loss of this gear can significantly reduce rescuers' ability to save the whale.

HOW YOU CAN HELP:

Please report all marine mammals and sea turtles found entangled, stranded, distressed, or dead.


Call the toll-free marine mammal incident reporting hotline 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-800-465-4336, use VHF Channel 16 (Coast Guard), or email DFO.ORR-ONS.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca. We also encourage you to report inappropriate or illegal human activity, contamination and disturbances to marine environments. To report healthy marine mammals in Clayoquot Sound please email research@simrstofino.org.

For further information on how to respond to marine mammal incidents check out Marine Education and Research Society’ video on How to Save a Whale.

BCMMRN REGIONAL PARTNERS:

Vancouver Aquarium - Marine Mammal Rescue Center https://rescue.ocean.org/

Marine Education and Research Society https://mersociety.org/

Parks Canada | Parcs Canada – Pacific Rim National Park Reserve https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/bc/pacificrim

Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada https://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/index-eng.html

BC Ministry of Agriculture – Animal Health Centre https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/agriculture-seafood/animals-and-crops/animal-health/animal-health-centre