In California, ship strikes of gray whales are the most commonly reported followed by fin, blue, humpback, and sperm whales. Credit: John Calambokidis/Cascadia Reseach Via NOAA
Global shipping regulator the UN International Maritime Organization has adopted a U.S. proposal to increase protections for endangered whales from deadly ship strikes off the California coast.
The proposal, adopted in November, takes effect this coming summer and expands areas that vessels should avoid to give whales more space, and extends vessel traffic lanes west of, in and around NOAA’s Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary.
The Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council’s Marine Shipping Working Group originally recommended the modifications in 2015. NOAA partnered with the U.S. Coast Guard to submit the proposal to the IMO in 2022.
“The IMO’s decision will enhance navigation safety and improve protection of whales,” said John Armor, director of NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries. “These adjustments demonstrate a successful collaboration between the United States, the IMO and the global shipping community.”
The U.S.-recommended adjustments will enhance navigation safety and protect whale species, particularly blue, fin and humpback, from ship strikes in an area containing some of the highest densities of commercial maritime traffic in the world.
A 13-nautical-mile extension of vessel traffic lanes, known as the “traffic separation scheme,” will result in vessels lining up for port entry farther west and away from the continental shelf, in deeper waters where there are lower concentrations of whales. The area to be avoided by vessels is expanding by more than 2,000 square nautical miles, and will cover, in total, approximately 4,476 square nautical miles of important whale feeding habitat off Point Conception and Point Arguello in Santa Barbara County, California.
Blue, fin and humpback whales are protected by the Endangered Species Act, Marine Mammal Protection Act and National Marine Sanctuaries Act.
Join the gCaptain Club for curated content, insider opinions, and vibrant community discussions.
Join the 105,926 members that receive our newsletter.
Have a news tip? Let us know.
The Port of Los Angeles reported a 19% increase in container units handled in March, marking the eighth consecutive month of year-over-year growth. The port processed 743,417 TEUs in March,...
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has announced the availability of $316 million to support and modernize passenger ferry services across the country. The funding, part of...
Global shipping giant Maersk has released a detailed update on its operations following the collapse of Baltimore’s Key Bridge. The company, which chartered the MV Dali, has now confirmed that...
Access exclusive insights, engage in vibrant discussions, and gain perspectives from our CEO.
Sign Up
Maritime and offshore news trusted by our 105,926 members delivered daily straight to your inbox.
Essential news coupled with the finest maritime content sourced from across the globe.
Sign Up
Join The Club
