A BC-based film company is now facing a hefty fine for getting too close-up while filming orcas using drones.
On August 19th, Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s (DFO) announced they have concluded an investigation that will result in those responsible paying a total of $30,000.
DFO says the reason for the fine is that Vancouver-based River Road Films Ltd. and their drone operator got their equipment too close to a pod of Northern resident killer whales.
On July 2nd of this year, River Road Films plead guilty to the charge in which they specifically had their drone encroach too closely to a pod ‘beach rubbing’ at a beach commonly visited by the whales for this purpose.
According to DFO, beach rubbing is a unique quirk of Northern resident killer whales.
“They head for shallow waters near the shore, then brush against the smooth pebbles below –an activity that is thought to help scrape off dead skin, strengthen family bonds and feel like a massage,” wrote DFO in a media release.
The breakdown of the fines River Road Films Ltd. now faces is $25,000 towards the company and $5,000 to the drone operator, Mathew Hood.
Additionally, the company is prohibited from using or distributing the drone footage.
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Although the company was technically a first time offender, in 2020, River Road Films Ltd. and their sister company in the United Kingdom applied for a DFO permit to film species at risk, such as Northern resident killer whales, for a documentary.
This application was not approved.
DFO says this is the first time a fine has been issued in Canada for the unlawful use of a drone to capture killer whale footage.
“Marine mammals can be disturbed by drones, which are considered to be an aircraft,” DFO wrote.
By law, drone pilots must know and adhere to the Canadian Aviation Regulations and Marine Mammal Regulations while filming marine mammals such as orcas on BC’s coast..
According to DFO, it is illegal to approach marine mammals with an aerial drone at an altitude below 1,000 feet (about 304 metres) and within a half nautical mile (about 926 metres).
