#MakeWayForWhales: What can the shipping industry do today to protect the world's great whales and their habitats?

Collisions with vessels, also known as ‘ship strikes’, are one of the greatest known threats to whales: what can the shipping industry do TODAY to protect the world's great whales and their habitats? Here are seven recommendations that came forward out of one year of collaborations:

1. Spread the word and help us create awareness

"I had no idea" - This is the most common reaction we receive when talking about unintentional ship strikes. Let's change that and spread the word, take pictures with STAR (the inflatable whale) and share them on your socials with the hashtag #MakeWayForWhales or book STAR at your event.

2. Connect your navigational software to whale detection databases

Whale detection databases can be integrated into your navigational software to automate alerts and suggest alternative routes or speed reductions.

Don't know where to start? Engage with Céline Mortier (CEO) or Werner huysmans (CTO) of Bogerd Martin.

3. Make your crew members "Whale Aware"

The World Cetacean Alliance has set up a training course to mitigate the impacts of ship strikes and boat disturbances on cetaceans.

4. Give specific instructions to Masters

As a member of the Whale Guardians program, Cobelfret NV is deeply committed to reducing ship strikes. Sveto Todorov, Head of Handy Operations at Cobelfret NV, provides specific instructions to masters to ensure the safety of these marine giants. Here is an example of the instructions given to masters:

Dear Captain,

We are a member of the Whale Guardians program as ship strikes are one of the most important causes of unnatural death for large whales. The WG program aims to make shipping more sustainable for whales by creating whale protective measures in areas where whale populations are known to exist. Our membership implies that all our ships fully cooperate in these measures and therefore we hereby instruct you to comply with the below routing recommendations. It must be noted that the WG program issues a certificate of compliance every year and is therefore tracking the movement of our ships in the mentioned areas. If for any reason you cannot comply with these instructions, please contact the operation's desk for guidance. The areas of concern are as follows:

• USA West coast: San Francisco & Long Leaf - seasonal speed reductions - refer to attached leaflet
• ...

5. Set whale-specific clauses in your commercial agreements

(an example will follow soon)

6. Contribute to whale detection and data collection

Erik Roscam Abbing (Global Delegate Whale Guardians) identified nine methodologies to collect data

• Observation by biologists and experts
• Shipping crew observation
• Citizen science
• Visual satellite observation
• Radio satellite detection
• e-DNA detection
• Sound buoy detection
• Drone observation
• Modeling

Link to the presentation "Whale detection and data collection - An assessment of methodologies" of 11 June 2024 can be found here.

7. Donate

Reach out to the team of the Great Whale Conservancy and see where your company can make the biggest difference: connect@whaleguardians.org

Together, we can make a significant impact in protecting the world's great whales and their habitats. By following these recommendations, the shipping industry can lead the way in creating safer oceans for these magnificent creatures. For more information and to stay updated, visit our website and sign up for our press releases.

Thank you for your commitment to #MakeWayForWhales.

Follow STAR on her trip through Europe: next destinations