Today, the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority-led Enhancing Cetacean Habitat and Observation (ECHO) Program launches its sixth season of large-scale underwater noise reduction initiatives to support the recovery of southern resident killer whales.
As part of the ECHO Program’s 2022 measures, ship operators are encouraged to slow down or stay distanced while transiting through key areas of southern resident killer whale critical habitat. To date, more than 80 marine transportation organizations have confirmed their intention to participate.
This year, the program’s underwater noise reduction measures will cover a record-high distance of about 80 nautical miles of the Salish Sea, including at Swiftsure Bank; Haro Strait and Boundary Pass; and in the Strait of Juan de Fuca. These measures will run from approximately June to November, when southern resident killer whale presence is typically highest.
“Over the last six years, the ECHO Program has become internationally recognized for implementing one of the world’s largest, and most successful, voluntary efforts to reduce underwater noise from ships,” said Duncan Wilson, vice president of environment and external affairs. “We hope to serve as an example, globally, of how collaborative efforts can create quieter oceans for endangered whales.”
New in 2022, the ECHO Program will coordinate an expanded ship slowdown trial at Swiftsure Bank, a known foraging area for southern resident killer whales that overlaps with international shipping lanes. This year, the slowdown extends to the inbound shipping lane, which is the main entry point used by commercial ships to reach the Port of Vancouver. This measure is in addition to Transport Canada’s Seasonal Slowdown Area outside of the shipping lanes, which also comes into effect today.
The Swiftsure Bank slowdown trial takes place within the treaty-protected Usual and Accustomed Fishing Area of the Makah Tribe and the maritime territory of the Pacheedaht First Nation, an area of significant cultural and spiritual value where harvested resources of Indigenous nations are located. The Makah Tribe and the Pacheedaht First Nation are key advisors to the ECHO Program in the development and implementation of safe ship slowdown practices in this important area.
Source: Vancouver Fraser Port Authority
“We are proud to work closely with the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority and the members of the ECHO Program to protect this iconic species, and to continue to provide a safer, quieter environment in which this endangered whale population can recover,” said Omar Alghabra, Minister of Transport Canada. “The Government of Canada works closely with Indigenous partners, industry, and local stakeholders to put in place concrete measures to help protect the Southern Resident killer whales.”
The overarching goal of the ECHO Program’s measures is to reduce threats to at-risk whales posed by commercial ship traffic. Underwater noise is one of the key threats to southern resident killer whales due to its potential to interfere with their ability to hunt, navigate and communicate.
Launched in 2014, the ECHO Program is one of the port authority’s key efforts to facilitate Canada’s trade through the Port of Vancouver within a context of strong environmental protection.
Since 2017, the ECHO Program’s underwater noise reduction initiatives in the Salish Sea have encouraged thousands of ship operators to slow down or stay distanced in southern resident killer whale critical habitat, reducing underwater sound intensity by up to 55% in key killer whale foraging areas.
“These expanded measures across both Canadian and U.S. waters could not have been achieved without the collaboration of many from across Indigenous communities, government agencies, the marine transportation industry, and environmental groups in Canada and the U.S.,” added Duncan Wilson. “We thank our partners and advisors for their support and participation in these important efforts to support the recovery of one of the region’s most iconic species.
Source: Vancouver Fraser Port Authority