Cruise Line Fined for Whale Death

30 January 2007

An international cruise line has been fined over the death of an endangered pregnant humpback whale, apparently struck by one of its ships visiting Alaska.

The Princess Cruise Lines was sentenced for failing to operate one of its ships in a slow, safe manner near Glacier Bay National Park, where the humpback whale was found dead of massive skull fractures.

The body of the 13.5-metre whale, named Snow because of her fluke markings, was found floating in Icy Strait near the mouth of Glacier Bay in Southeast Alaska in July 2001.

"Our marine mammals are national treasures to be preserved for future generations. We must protect them from criminal and negligent acts committed by individuals or large corporations," said Nelson Cohen, the US Attorney for Alaska, who described the case as a first-of-its kind prosecution.

While not admitting that one of its ships hit the whale, Princess Cruise Lines paid a maximum $US200,000 ($A260,000) fine, plus $US550,000 ($A713,500) in restitution to the National Park Foundation, with the funds specifically dedicated to Glacier Bay National Park conservation efforts.

"We take our responsibility to be good stewards of the environment very seriously," said Princess Cruises CEO Peter Ratcliffe. He said the company regretted the circumstances involving its ship.

 

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