A Vancouver-based film company has received some hefty fines from the DFO for flying a drone too close to a pod of Northern Resident Killer Whales (NRKW).
Back in July River Road Films pleaded guilty to unlawful capturing of drone footage of killer whales near a “rubbing beach” on Vancouver Island.
Fines for the film company totaled 25,000 thousand dollars and the drone operator was also ordered to pay a fine of 5,000 dollars.
“Beach Rubbing” is a behaviour only done in NRWK where they brush against smooth pebbles in shallow waters near the shore, it’s thought to be used to strengthen family bonds and feels like a massage.
DFO says that the film company did apply for a permit to film Species at Risk Act species, but the application was not approved.
River Road Films was caught using drones and underwater video to film NRKW in August of 2021.
According to the DFO, this is the first time a fine has been issued for the unlawful use of a drone to capture killer whale footage.
Both the drone operator and the film company are first-time offenders.
