Preventing Whale Strikes

Preventing Ship Strikes

Several federal Marine Sanctuaries lie directly in the path of vessel traffic lanes. To enter the Bay, every vessel passes through at least one of these Sanctuaries and through or near one or more Marine Protected Areas (MPAs),  almost completely unregulated.  These areas were designated Sanctuaries because they are naturally inhabited by a wealth of marine life including endangered whale species on their annual migration.

In Fall 2007, California saw a dramatic increase in whale strandings and deaths linked to collisions with large vessels. There were four confirmed blue whale fatalities from ship strikes in the Santa Barbara Channel, adjacent to the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary, more than in any previous year. According to a recent study, of the 11 species known to be hit by ships, fin whales are struck most frequently; right whales, humpback whales, and gray whales are hit most commonly. In some areas, one-third of all fin whale and right whale strandings appear to involve ship strikes. There are at least three recent cases of large ships entering port with a dead whale rammed onto their hulls. Whales, dwarfed by gigantic cargo ships, are becoming mere speed bumps on the ocean superhighway.  

A scientific study of vessel collisions with the North Atlantic right whale found that reducing ship speed to 11.8 knots or less could reduce strikes by as much as 50 percent. A speed limit has just been implemented along the Atlantic coast to protect critically endangered right whales and a voluntary speed limit is in place, similarly, around the Channel Islands. Pacific Environment is working with its partners to refine and replicate similar measures in Northern California’s National Marine Sanctuaries and state MPAs.