Whales in British Columbia waters are facing a threat, with some being struck by vessels and others struggling to find food due to ship noise disturbances. Recently, a disturbing incident was caught on video where a Sea-Doo collided with a grey whale off Vancouver. This unfortunate trend includes a humpback whale being hit by a whale-watching boat last October, leading to the discovery of a deceased whale in the same vicinity shortly after. In a separate incident, a humpback whale was struck by a B.C. Ferries vessel, followed by the discovery of another dead whale the next day.
This escalating issue is expected to continue as ferry traffic rises and Canada intensifies its efforts to transport more goods to Asia through these waters. To address this problem, two British Columbia groups have initiated efforts to assist the whales. One such initiative is a pilot project named HALLO (Humans and Algorithms Listening for Orcas) based at Simon Fraser University. HALLO aims to mitigate ship noise levels to enable endangered southern resident killer whales to locate food sources effectively.
Lauren Laturnus, a biology master’s student at SFU, is actively involved in this project. Using surveying equipment, Laturnus tracks whale movements in the Salish Sea while monitoring vessel activities from East Point on Saturna Island. The goal is to assess the frequency of whale-vessel interactions in the area. When Laturnus identifies whales, she promptly reports the sightings to the Ocean Wise Whale Alert System, which notifies commercial mariners in real-time to adjust their speed or course.
In addition to the scientific efforts, about 100 volunteer citizen scientists have been trained to monitor whale movements around Saturna, Pender, and Mayne Islands. These volunteers contribute valuable data to the Whale Alert System, aiding in the protection of marine life.
The primary objective of HALLO is to create a conducive environment for the southern resident killer whales to feed without disturbance. These orcas heavily rely on sound for navigation and communication, making them susceptible to disruptions caused by vessel noise pollution. With only approximately 74 southern resident orcas left in British Columbia waters, including a new calf, these protections are critical for their survival.
Furthermore, HALLO has collaborated with the W̱SÁNEĆ Marine Guardians, an Indigenous-led conservation group in the Salish Sea. By integrating traditional knowledge with scientific data, the Marine Guardians advocate for enhanced whale protections and ecosystem preservation. Biologist Rachel Fairfield Checko works on analyzing hydrophone recordings to identify whale species and uses this information to lobby for improved safeguards with government authorities.
Efforts to safeguard marine life extend beyond killer whales to include humpback whales, which are also at risk from vessel strikes. An estimated 20,000 whales worldwide fall victim to vessel collisions annually, with humpbacks, along with other large whale species, being particularly vulnerable. Andrew Trites, a professor at the UBC Marine Mammal Research Unit, highlights the need for enhanced protections, especially for humpback whales, due to their inability to coexist harmoniously with vessels.
One innovative solution proposed to mitigate whale-vessel collisions is the development of an optical technology by Glenn Jones from Reach Technologies Inc. This technology utilizes a 360-degree rotating multispectral camera system to detect whales in proximity to vessels. By providing early detection capabilities up to 1,000 meters away, this system aims to assist mariners in avoiding whale encounters and ensuring the safety of marine life.
Jones envisions the widespread adoption of this technology on commercial vessels and ferries to prevent whale incidents effectively. By promoting mutual respect between marine creatures and human activities, these initiatives strive to create a safer environment for both whales and maritime operations in British Columbia waters.