The World Shipping Council (WSC) has released a Whale Chart which offers seafarers critical navigational coordinates and concise graphics to identify routing measures and areas subject to static speed restrictions designed to protect whales and other cetaceans.
As explained, whales and other cetaceans who travel far and spend considerable time at the surface are especially vulnerable to injury by vessel traffic. WSC is working closely with NGO’s, governments, regional and local authorities and in the IMO to find ways to protect whales from ship strikes.
Furthermore, accidental collisions between ships and whales are an international concern, and can occur wherever there is an overlap between whale activity and vessel traffic. The first global mapping of all mandatory and voluntary governmental measures to reduce harm to whales from ships, the WSC Whale Chart helps seafarers plan their voyages to minimize the risk of collisions.
How are whales affected by noise?
As the world’s oceans are subject to higher levels of exploration and use, including increasing ship traffic, concern has grown about these activities increasing ambient noise in the marine environment. Specifically, researchers are concerned about the effect elevated noise levels have on marine mammal communications, breeding, and general behaviour patterns.
