Artemis (BC) @135502

Artemis is the 2023 calf of Potamus (BCY0885). Why Artemis as a nickname? The MERS 2026 Marine Mammal Naturalist Course named Artemis for inspiring distinctive features: the dot on the right side of the fluke resembling the moon, and the markings on the left side resembling rocket exhaust (re. the Artemis mission to the moon). AND Artemis is the Greek goddess of hunting, wilderness, wild animals, and childbirth. Artemis survived an entanglement! From MERS: Artemis, was detected as entangled on June 11th, 2026. Reported to be successfully disentangled on June 14th, 2026. The Canadian Department of National Defense was involved in monitoring Artemis. "When a humpback whale became entangled in fishing gear in the Strait of Georgia off the east coast of Vancouver Island on June 11, quick action and strong collaboration helped set the stage for a successful rescue. The Canadian Forces Maritime Experimental and Test Ranges (CFMETR) crew members aboard the Canadian Forces auxiliary vessel (CFAV) Stikine first identified the entangled whale, which they later learned was named Artemis. The CFMETR team then worked with employees from Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) to locate, assess, and track the animal. Their coordinated efforts enabled DFO rescue teams to safely continue disentanglement operations over the following days. On June 14, Artemis was successfully freed from all remaining ropes. This operation highlights the importance of environmental stewardship, vigilance on the water, and strong partnerships in protecting marine wildlife. Thank you to everyone involved for their dedication and commitment to safeguarding Canada’s marine environment!"

Salish Sea · North Pacific