A minute to understand maritime Traffic and Collisions

The growth in international maritime traffic and the increase in ship speeds are raising the risk of collisions (“ship strikes”) with cetaceans. Collisions are a major cause of mortality for several whale populations (including fin whales, right whales, sperm whales, and humpback whales). Accidents occur where shipping lanes overlap with whales’ feeding or breeding grounds, particularly near urbanized coastal areas. Injuries to whales are classified into two types: propeller injuries (external lacerations) and blunt force trauma (fractures of the skull, jaw, or vertebrae; internal bleeding). Certain species, such as the North Atlantic right whale, are particularly at risk due to their slow speed, buoyancy, or lack of reaction to ships. Collisions account for a very significant portion of their recorded mortality.

Preventive Measures:

   - Modification of shipping routes: Reconfiguration of traffic separation zones to avoid critical areas.

   - Mandatory reporting: Vessels over 300 metric tons are required to report their position in certain sensitive areas.

   - Speed limits: Vessels 65 feet (approximately 20 meters) or longer are required to navigate at 10 knots or less in specific seasonal management areas (SMAs).