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COLLISIONSWhen ships collide with whales,
the animals rarely survive

In many marine regions, ships collide with marine life such as whales, dolphins, sea turtles, sea lions or sharks.  The size and speed of ships increases the risk of a collision. Animals are struck or injured by the ship’s propeller. In most cases, the strikes prove to be fatal.

OceanCare is making great efforts to minimize the risk of ship collisions with marine animals. Together with scientists and partner organizations, we are developing solutions that we communicate directly to the shipping sector and to governments. In this way, we effectively save lives and do everything in our power to prevent endangered whale populations from extinction.

The whales need us!

one-off
regularly

Your donation will help to ensure that threatened marine animals are protected and that their habitats are conserved.

Your donation will help to ensure that threatened marine animals are protected and that their habitats are conserved.

The most important measures
to prevent ship collisions with whales

Risk hotspots: Re-route shipping traffic

In some marine regions, shipping routes pass directly through breeding or feeding grounds of large whale and dolphin species: for example, south of Sri Lanka, where blue whales live, or in the Hellenic Trench off Greece, the home of sperm whales. Re-routing shipping lanes to avoid navigating through these areas significantly reduces the risk of collisions between ships and whales. Together with its partners, OceanCare has already been able to convince major shipping companies and shipping associations to reroute in certain areas.

Speed reduction: Benefit for whales and the climate

In cases where re-routing is not possible, shipping speed must be reduced. Reducing the speed of ships has been shown to reduce not only the risk of collisions with whales, but also CO2 emissions, other air pollutants and ocean noise.

SAvE Whales: High Tech as a complementary measure

In order to protect endangered sperm whales in the Eastern Mediterranean, OceanCare has funded the development of the world’s first integrated sperm whale localisation system. The SAvE Whales system can inform captains in real time about the presence of sperm whales. It is intended to become employed in those key zones where bypassing is not possible. The decision to use the SAvE Whales system lies with the Greek government.

VIDEO

SAvE Whales – protecting sperm whales from ship collisions

About 200 sperm whales are left in the eastern Med Sea. The high-tech system «Save Whales» warns ship captains when whales are present.  

STORies about collisions

Story
Collision Risk: Slowing Down to Protect Endangered Whales!
Read nowCollisions Featured Shipping
Story
Will «Moby Dick» disappear from the Eastern Mediterranean Sea?
Read nowCollisions Whales
Story
Ship strikes: The urgent need to slow down vessels
Read nowCollisions Shipping Whales
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news ABOUT collisions

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6 Facts about collisions

Ship strikes represent a serious conservation and welfare problem all around the globe.

Collisions with large vessels often go unnoticed and unreported.

Effective solutions: Moving shipping routes out of cetacean habitats and reducing vessel speed.

A 10% reduction in speed across the global fleet would reduce the risk of ship strikes by 50%.

Since 2007, the IWC has been developing a global database of collisions between ships and whales.

SAvE Whales is the first real-time acoustic observatory for sperm whale localization to avoid ship collisions.

About OceanCare

OceanCare has been committed to marine wildlife protection since 1989.

The organisation holds Special Consultative Status on marine issues with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations.

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Petition: Because our planet is blue, OceanCare

Every year, approximately 9 million tons of plastic end up in the ocean – a deadly trap for millions of ocean inhabitants. Together we can stop the plastic wave and create a clean and healthy ocean.

Sign the petition here
Petition: Because our planet is blue, OceanCare
High vessel speeds at sea lead to deadly collisions with whales. Together, we can protect their lives. The time to act is now.
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Petition: Because our planet is blue, OceanCare

The use of destructive fishing gear is one of the biggest threats to marine ecosystems. Together we can stop destructive fishing practises and protect the ocean and their inhabitants. The time to act is now.

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Petition: Because our planet is blue, OceanCare

Oil and gas exploration threatens marine ecosystems and life in the ocean. Together we can enforce a ban and protect our ocean. The time to act is now.

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Petition: Because our planet is blue, OceanCare

The deep sea is a unique habitat full of secrets and life. Resource extraction threatens to irreversibly destroy this treasure. Together, we can protect the deep sea. The time to act is now.

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Petition: Because Our Planet Is Blue, OceanCare

A healthy Ocean is essential for life on the blue planet.
We must stop harming our planet and start caring for it. The time to act is now.

Sign the petition here