In recent weeks, Orca whales and Gray whales have been seen feeding in Vancouver harbour at various locations. This unusual occurrence is likely due to insufficient food sources in their typical feeding grounds, pushing these magnificent creatures closer to shore in search of nourishment. Their presence in our harbour is a testament to the richness of our local ecosystem, but it comes with heightened risks, particularly due to human activity.

On May 4, 2026, a terrible incident occurred when a jet ski operator, travelling at high speed, collided with a Gray whale in the heart of Vancouver. Thankfully, no serious injuries have been immediately apparent.  However, this was a very serious incident - a smaller whale or whale calf would have been seriously injured or even killed by this high speed collision.

This incident has made it abundantly clear that jet skis and high-speed watercraft in areas where whales are present should not be allowed in the first place.  Such collisions not only endanger marine life but also pose significant threats to human safety. 

Furthermore, the noise and water pollution caused by jet skis can disrupt the delicate balance of the local marine environment. Whales and dolphins rely heavily on sound for navigation, communication, and feeding, and the presence of noisy watercraft interferes with these vital activities, leading to disorientation and stress at a time where their numbers are dwindling and populations are already under duress.

Municipal governments around the world have successfully implemented bans or limitations on jet skis and high speed motorcraft in ecologically sensitive and high-risk areas to protect both wildlife and human populations. It's time for Vancouver to follow suit and prioritize the health of our marine ecosystem by implementing restrictions in the sensitive areas of our harbour where whales and other wildlife feed, live, and travel. This action not only aligns with conservation efforts but also showcases our city's commitment to preserving natural habitats for future generations.

We therefore urge the Vancouver Park Board Commissioners to make an immediate amendment to the Vancouver Park Board’s "On Water Strategy." Specifically, we are calling for restrictions on the launching of jet skis and Sea-Doos from city-managed beaches, ramps, and park property in sensitive areas where whales and other wildlife live, feed, and travel.

The recent incident on May 4, 2026, where a motorized craft struck a feeding grey whale near Siwash Rock, has demonstrated that current strategies are insufficient. High-speed motorized craft launched from our local beaches pose an unacceptable risk to:

• Marine Wildlife: Our urban waters have become a critical feeding ground for whales. Allowing high-speed motorized access from our shores directly facilitates dangerous human-wildlife conflict.
• Public Safety: Stanley Park, English Bay, and Kitsilano Beach are high-density recreational zones. The speed and maneuverability of these craft are incompatible with the safety of swimmers, kayakers, and paddleboarders.
• Ecological Integrity: The noise and chemical pollution from motorized craft launching in sensitive intertidal zones undermine the environmental goals of the "On Water Strategy."

While the federal government regulates navigation, the Vancouver Park Board holds exclusive authority over the land used to launch these vessels. By closing launching access on city-managed property, the Board can take immediate, proactive steps to protect our marine ecosystem without waiting for federal regulatory cycles.

We urge the Board to put this amendment on the agenda for the next public meeting and prioritize the safety of our wildlife and residents over high-speed jet ski recreation.

The above is an important first step, but it is not enough. We also need to implement comprehensive whale protection measures that address speed, distance, noise, and pollution issues from all vessels in our waters. 

We therefore call on Transport Canada, Fisheries & Oceans Canada, the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, and the Province of BC to work together with the City of Vancouver, West Vancouver, and North Vancouver to take immediate steps to:

• Create seasonal mandatory slow zones (5 knots) in whale-feeding and high-recreation areas
• Expand whale "stand-off" distances for recreational vessels and Personal Watercraft to 500m for all whales and 1,000m for endangered, feeding, resting, or calf-associated whales
• Create exclusion zones
• Increase marine patrols and enforcement coordination
• Implement dynamic whale protection zones, whale-sensitive feeding and transit areas, and real-time whale alerts
• Expand swimmer and wildlife protection buffers offshore
• Regulate and license commercial jet-ski rental operators
• Require whale-awareness and marine safety certification for operators of all vessels, including jet-ski users
• Publish whale hazard maps and public guidance for boaters
• Require mandatory reporting of whale strikes and near misses
• Support data collection and public reporting initiatives
• Fund public education, signage, and whale-alert systems
• Support marine conservation planning and coordinate with First Nations and conservation groups on habitat protection
• Revise and enforce tourism and recreation-industry compliance standards to ensure protection of whales, wildlife, and people in Vancouver's waters.

Sincerely,

The Undersigned

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Just a note to all of you as you go through the signing process here - if you are asked to donate to promote this petition, please be aware that the funds go exclusively to this Change.org platform, for promotion on their platform. I don't have any control over that or receive any of those funds. Please don't feel compelled to donate in this manner - if you can share the petition link with your friends and networks, that is probably the most effective way to spread the word. And if you wish to support marine conservation efforts in our region, the Marine Education & Research Society is a great option: https://mersociety.org/donate/

Thank you for your support of this petition - I will post an update as to next steps once we have more signatories!