WHALE GUARDIANS: the global program preventing unintentional vessel strikes on great whales
Why Whales Matter
Whales are critical to a sustainable ocean and a livable planet. Scientists are now learning how whales are ecosystem engineers, helping to capture carbon in their bodies and fertilize the ocean so more primary productivity (phytoplankton) blooms. Whales are an irreplaceable component of the ocean’s capacity to regulate the atmosphere. The oxygen/carbon exchange between the atmosphere and the ocean is part of the Earth’s life support system, providing us all with a habitable earth.
What is the problem
All around the world, hundreds, possibly thousands, of whales are being killed and injured by ships that transit across the world’s oceans.
Many coastal upwelling zones, rich in food for whales, are located in entrances to the world’s largest shipping ports. Narrow shipping lanes leading into these ports and inland waterways result in ships and whales occupying the same waters. This scenario is often lethal for whales.
Whales don’t hear ships approaching because the ship’s hull blocks the propeller noise from traveling forward, creating an acoustical window in front of ships where there is no noise. Many whale species spend the evening at the surface feeding or resting where they are extremely vulnerable to ship strikes.
most effective solutions
One of the most effective ways to reduce whale ship strikes is to seasonally shift shipping lanes. These lanes must be monitored annually to ensure minimal use by great whales. In high-risk areas where rerouting is not feasible due to port, geographic, or geopolitical constraints, lanes should be adjusted to minimize the time ships and feeding whales overlap. Where critical whale habitat lies immediately outside major ports and lane shifts are impossible, measures such as mandatory speed reductions or restricting vessel traffic during peak whale surface-feeding times are the most effective solutions.
Reducing ship speed can help but not all great whale species avoid collisions. Blue whales are poorly adapted to evade ships, and others may be unable to react while recovering at the surface after deep dives. In these cases, slower ships may actually increase strike risk by spending more time in critical whale habitat.
THE PROVEN APPROACH TO PREVENTING SHIP STRIKES
ASSESS - Pinpoint & assess problem areas across the globe where ships are crossing critical whale habitats. Identify & create partnerships with local experts.
DATA - Gather vessel & whale data to pinpoint problem areas. Begin communication with local biologists government & port captains/agents.
RELEASE - Release route on our interactive mapping program as well as to all maritime members, ports, & ship captains.
BUILD - Build voluntary recommended routes in accordance with whale data, shipping guidelines, & local partners’ requests.
ENGAGE - Engage & educate the industry & the public.
