In a concerning incident for marine conservation, a protected Bryde's whale was struck by a fishing boat while swimming in the bustling waters near a popular whale-watching hotspot off China's southern coast. The dramatic collision occurred off Weizhou Island in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region on February 7, an area that has become a major tourist destination for visitors hoping to spot these rare marine mammals.
Footage Captures the Moment of Impact
Drone footage captured by tourists shows the Bryde's whale surfacing to breathe and spouting water several times as whale-watching boats lingered nearby, either idling or maintaining a cautious distance. Moments later, a fishing vessel is seen ploughing through the area without slowing down, passing directly over the whale's back. Images taken after the incident revealed a long white scar stretching across the animal's back, which immediately sparked alarm among conservationists and marine researchers.
Official Details of the Vessel and Incident
Officials confirmed that the vessel involved was registered as Weizhou 0008 and had completed the required departure reporting procedures before leaving port. According to an official statement, the boat's owner departed Nanwan Port at around 6am to lay shrimp nets roughly three nautical miles offshore and was returning to port at about 3.30pm when the collision occurred around one nautical mile from the island.
Authorities explained that the design of the vessel meant the bow rises while travelling, significantly limiting the captain's forward visibility. The boat owner reportedly spotted the whale only when it was less than 32 feet away and was unable to brake or manoeuvre in time to avoid impact.
Identification and Assessment of the Whale's Injury
Researchers from Nanjing Normal University, who have been monitoring Bryde's whales around Weizhou Island for years, identified the injured animal as WZ-056 by cross-checking long-term records. They reported that the whale sustained a white wound measuring approximately 19 to 23 inches on the right side of its back.
Experts cited by officials stated that the injury was unlikely to cause serious harm, and follow-up monitoring over the next two days showed the whale continuing normal activity in local waters. This provides some reassurance, but the incident highlights ongoing risks in these crowded maritime zones.
Conservation Status and Tourism Impact
Bryde's whales are listed as a first-class nationally protected species in China, and Weizhou Island has been home to a stable population for several years. Continuous monitoring since 2018 has identified more than 70 individuals, described as the world's largest nearshore small Bryde's whale population.
Whale watching has surged in popularity in the area, with up to 2,300 visitors a day reported to take part in these excursions. The industry generated around £24 million in tourism revenue in 2025, underscoring its economic significance alongside its ecological value.
Authorities Issue Safety Reminders
In response to the incident, authorities have reminded all vessels at sea to maintain a proper lookout, slow down, and steer clear of whales when they are sighted to prevent further collisions. This call for caution is crucial as human activities increasingly intersect with critical marine habitats.
The collision serves as a stark reminder of the challenges in balancing tourism, fishing, and conservation efforts in sensitive marine environments. While the whale appears to have escaped severe injury, the event has intensified discussions on how to better protect these majestic creatures in their natural habitat.
