In British Columbia waters, whales are facing numerous threats, including collisions with vessels and disruptions in their food search due to ship noise. Disturbing incidents have been documented, such as a Sea-Doo striking a grey whale in Vancouver and humpback whales being hit by various vessels, resulting in tragic outcomes. This concerning trend is expected to escalate with the rise in ferry traffic and increased shipping activities to Asia through these waters.
To address these challenges, two groups in British Columbia are taking proactive measures. One initiative, led by Simon Fraser University, known as HALLO (Humans and Algorithms Listening for Orcas), is focused on mitigating ship noise 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 tracking whale movements in the Salish Sea while monitoring vessel activities from East Point on Saturna Island.
Utilizing surveying equipment, Laturnus gathers data on whale presence alongside vessel traffic and shares her findings with the Ocean Wise Whale Alert System for real-time notifications to commercial mariners. Additionally, over 100 trained citizen scientists are monitoring whale movements around Saturna, Pender, and Mayne Islands, contributing valuable insights to the Whale Alert System.
The HALLO project’s primary goal is to create a conducive environment for southern resident killer whales to feed without disturbances. These orcas heavily rely on sound for navigation and communication, making ship-generated noise a significant hindrance to their survival. With only about 74 southern resident killer whales left in British Columbia waters, including a new calf, their food source of chinook salmon is dwindling, particularly in the busy Salish Sea shipping lanes.
Collaborating with the W̱SÁNEĆ Marine Guardians, HALLO aims to strengthen protection measures for the southern resident killer whales. By integrating hydrophone recordings and Indigenous knowledge, the initiative advocates for enhanced federal regulations to safeguard these endangered species. Recent efforts by the Canadian government include extending the distance required between vessels and southern resident orcas from 200 to 1000 meters.
Experts emphasize the need for increased protections for humpback whales, as vessel strikes globally claim an estimated 20,000 whale lives annually. While certain marine mammals have adapted to coexist with vessels, humpback whales remain vulnerable to collisions. Innovations like a 360-degree multispectral camera system, initially developed for military use, show promise in detecting whales from a considerable distance, allowing vessels to adjust course promptly.
Glenn Jones, the mind behind this technology, envisions its integration into commercial vessels and ferries to enhance whale detection capabilities and prevent collisions. By promoting mutual respect and awareness between marine life and maritime activities, these initiatives strive to create a safer environment for whales in British Columbia waters.
