Navigating the Highways of the Sea: The Deadly Collision Course Between Whales and Ships

This news post highlights the alarming issue of whale-vessel collisions in the world’s oceans. A new study has found that shipping occurs in more than 90 percent of whale ranges, leading to fatal strikes on an estimated 20,000 whales annually. The study reveals that every ocean region poses a substantial ship-strike risk for four globally ranging whale species: fin whales, sperm whales, humpbacks, and blue whales.

The highest risk hotspots were identified in the Indian Ocean, western North Pacific Ocean, and the Mediterranean Sea, with many hotspots falling within marine protected areas lacking targeted collision risk reduction measures. Surprisingly, some hotspots were identified in the middle of the ocean, such as the Azores islands, due to major transit pathways for ships crossing the Atlantic Ocean.

To mitigate the risk of whale-vessel collisions, researchers suggest implementing vessel speed restriction zones over an additional 2.6 percent of the ocean’s surface. Slowing down ships not only reduces the risk of collisions but also helps reduce emissions and improve air quality. However, enforcing speed limits can be challenging, as some ships do not comply with regulations.

Climate change is also exacerbating the risk of vessel strikes as warming waters push whales closer to human activity. Melting sea ice in the Arctic is projected to increase ship traffic, potentially leading to higher collision rates for some whale species. Scientists are working on applying new whale distribution models under future climate change scenarios to better protect these marine giants.

Efforts to protect whales from vessel strikes include rerouting shipping traffic to avoid whale habitats, creating whale “school zones” where ships slow down, and proposing dynamic slowdown zones when whales are present in high numbers. Despite challenges in implementing and enforcing these measures, it is crucial to address the global issue of whale-vessel collisions to protect these majestic creatures and preserve marine ecosystems.