Prince Rupert, BC - In August 2019, in Prince Rupert Provincial Court, the Honourable Judge George Leven found guide Scott Babcock guilty of a violation under the Marine Mammal Regulations. Justice Leven ordered Mr. Babcock to pay a fine of $2,000. Mr. Babcock also did 2 days of community service in educating the public on boater safety around whales.
The sentence relates to the disturbance of marine mammals that occurred on July 19, 2018 when Mr. Babcock approached a Humpback whale at a distance of less than 100 metres in the Work Channel, 50 kilometres north of Prince Rupert.
This is the first conviction under the amended Marine Mammal Regulations as part of the modernized Fisheries Act. The new regulations significantly strengthen protections for marine mammals.
