Story perspectives

Beluga Entangled in Ghost Gear; Cleanup Team Highlights Risks

6/10/2026

Summary

Story summary

A local beluga whale became entangled in abandoned mooring ropes during a funding pause, underscoring ghost-gear risk.
Shawn Bath’s team cleared side of Hickman’s Harbour of ghost-gear and plastic in a four-day funded effort before pausing to raise money.
Bath’s documentary ‘Hell or Clean Water’ premiered at Toronto’s Hot Docs festival in spring 2021, won two audience-choice awards, and prompted him to seek charitable status after corporate sponsorships fell short.

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Story summary

A local beluga whale became entangled in abandoned mooring ropes during a funding pause, underscoring ghost-gear risk.
Shawn Bath’s team cleared side of Hickman’s Harbour of ghost-gear and plastic in a four-day funded effort before pausing to raise money.
Bath’s documentary ‘Hell or Clean Water’ premiered at Toronto’s Hot Docs festival in spring 2021, won two audience-choice awards, and prompted him to seek charitable status after corporate sponsorships fell short.