An investigation by the Federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) has resulted in a hefty fine for a Vancouver film company and drone operator caught flying too close to northern resident killer whales in 2021. On July 2, 2024, River Road Films Ltd. pleaded guilty to unlawfully capturing drone footage of the whales at a well-known “rubbing beach” on Vancouver Island where the marine mammals are known to frequent close to shore to brush against the smooth pebbles below – a unique quirk of the northern resident killer whales. It was reported, however, that the animals left the bay almost immediately due to the drone flying about 10 metres over them.
In Canada, it is illegal to approach marine mammals with an aerial drone at an altitude below 1,000 feet and within half a nautical mile. It is also against the law to disturb a marine mammal. 25,000 fine was given to River Road Films Ltd, and a $5,000 fine was issued to the drone operator, Matthew Hood. This is the first time a fine has been issued in Canada for the unlawful use of a drone to capture killer whale footage and in addition to their fine, River Road Films Ltd. is prohibited from using or distributing their drone footage.
