2 U.S. drone pilots ticketed for flying too close to orcas, Transport Canada says no precedent here in B.C. yet

After two drone pilots were ticketed for flying too close to orca whales in Washington State, Transport Canada says they have not issued any similar fines here in B.C.

KIRO News reports the two men were issued tickets by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife for violating a protected species by allegedly flying their drones too close to the whales.

Both were allegedly within 10 yards of a pod of resident killer whales in the Haro Strait, west of San Juan Island, on Aug. 16, breaking the Washington State law that requires “vessels” and “other objects” to stay at least 200 yards away and resulting in both drone pilots receiving tickets.

Here in Canada, if an operator flies an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), such as a drone, without a special permit, Transport Canada says they can issue fines up to $5,000 for an individual and $25,000 for a business.

If an operator does not follow the requirements of their permit, Transport Canada can issue fines of up to $3,000 for an individual and $15,000 for a business.

When it comes to drones getting to close to marine animals, Transport Canada says they have not issued any fines for this type of UAV activity here in B.C.

They say their safety guidelines state that recreational drone operators should not fly closer than 150 metres to animals.

Pilots who use UAVs for work or research are not allowed to fly in areas not specifically covered by their flight certificate issued by Transport Canada. For example, a researcher who wants to use a UAV to observe wildlife would require a permit explicitly allowing them to do so. Non-recreational pilots who wish to operate under an exemption must also be able to meet strict safety conditions, including minimum distances from animals.

“Using a UAV in a negligent or reckless manner may cause property damage and bodily harm, resulting in lawsuits, fines, and jail time. Anyone who witnesses unsafe or illegal UAV use should immediately contact their local law enforcement, or inform Transport Canada,” Mélany Gauvin with Transport Canada told Global News.