The Vancouver park board is expected to explore options for restricting personal watercraft in Burrard Inlet after a Sea-Doo struck a grey whale in May. The incident occurred near Stanley Park on May 4, drawing national and international attention, including coverage in the New York Times.
Motion for Stronger Regulation
Commissioner Tom Digby, who submitted the motion, said the whale strike was the trigger for the proposal, though he had been considering it for some time. The motion calls for the board to advocate for the "prohibition or significant restriction" of high-speed personal watercraft in Burrard Inlet and urges federal agencies to strengthen regulations.
It also directs park board staff to report on measures within its jurisdiction to discourage or ban launching, staging, or operating watercraft from park board-managed facilities.
Growing Concerns for Marine Wildlife
Digby noted that orcas, humpback whales, and grey whales are increasingly returning to local waters. A 2025 study found that grey whales feeding along the B.C. coast are part of an eastern North Pacific population in steep decline over the past six years, partly due to climate changes in their Arctic feeding grounds. "We're very anxious that their difficult lives are not made worse by careless human activities," Digby said.
He pointed to Victoria, the San Juan Islands in Washington state, and Sydney, Australia as jurisdictions that have already implemented restrictions or bans on personal watercraft, adding that Vancouver is overdue for stronger regulation.
Public Support and Election Implications
An online petition started by Deborah Katz Henriquez calling for jet ski restrictions in Burrard Inlet has surpassed 8,700 signatures, with over 300 emails sent to the park board in support. Digby said the vote carries weight heading into October's municipal election. "If it does not pass, then I can guarantee you it's gonna be an election issue," he said.
Other Agenda Items
Also on the agenda is a staff report recommending designated smoking areas at three summer festivals: the Great Outdoor Comedy Festival in Stanley Park, and the Country Club and Rose Disco events at Jericho Beach Park. The proposed pilot program would exempt these events from the park board's no-smoking bylaw, which has been in place since 2010. The report notes that up to 37% of festivalgoers smoke, roughly double the rate of the general public, leading to widespread rule-breaking. The park board previously introduced alcohol in parks through a similar pilot process.
