In August 2019, Honourable Judge George Leven found guide Scott Babcock guilty of a violation under the Marine Mammal Regulations. Babcock had to pay a fine of $2,000 and completed two days of community service in educating the public on boater safety around whales. Babcock was observed by DFO employees in an unmarked boat as he 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.
