Protecting Mediterranean Whales from Ship Strikes: Progress and Challenges
Fin whales and sperm whales in the Mediterranean face a deadly threat: collisions with ships. At the 9th Meeting of the Parties to the Agreement to conserve whales and dolphins in the Mediterranean and Black Seas (ACCOBAMS) in Cyprus, OceanCare and the Tethys Research Institute co-hosted a side event bringing together experts and country representatives to present progress and persistent challenges in protecting large whales from vessel strikes – highlighting urgent action needed in high-risk areas like the Northwestern Mediterranean and the Hellenic Trench.
The focus of the side-event has been to report and discuss activities in two different regions in the Mediterranean Sea that are both exposed to different challenges. The Northwestern Mediterranean which is home to many cetacean species, including fin whales and sperm whales. The Hellenic Trench off Greece which is home to the population of sperm whales in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea. For both regions, being hit by a ship is the biggest single threat to these marine mammals.
Presentations at the event highlighted both progress achieved and the significant challenges that remain in reducing collision risks.
Industry Engagement and Protective Measures
Maylis Salivas, Executive Secretary of ACCOBAMS, provided the context to previous decisions by ACCOBAMS Parties and progress achieved within the ShiPrint-Workshop series which is targeting the shipping industry and promotes the uptake of the Associated Protective Measures (APMs) within the designated Particular Sensitive Sea Area (PSSA). Two workshops have already been undertaken involving the Cargo Sector as well as Passenger Ferries.
National Actions and Implementation Challenges
Nora Susbielle, Deputy to the Assistant Director in charge of “Protection of Coastal and Marine Ecosystems” in France, reported about progress of work related to the implementation of the APMs and respective work streams by the Range States to the PSSA, as well as challenges faced.
Whale Detection Systems: The SAvE Whales Project
Aimilia Drouga, National Focal Point to ACCOBAMS in the Greek Ministry of Environment, provided an update about the SAvE Whales Project, a whale detection system which is currently implemented in the Strait of Kythira. A formal collaboration has been formed between the Ministry of Environment, NECCA, The Green Tank and OceanCare. The project, which involves the scientific partners at the Pelagos Research Institute and FORTH, aims to have the detection system set up and running all year round to inform approaching vessels about whale presence in the Strait of Kythira and engage on slow down procedures.
Understanding whale movements and collision risks
Simone Panigada, president of Tethys, gave the keynote presentation providing an in-depth overview about the problem, its scope, solutions and regional and international efforts.
The event was rounded up by a joint presentation of Alexandros Xydias, former navigation officer and shipping expert working with IFAW and OceanCare, and Nicolas Entrup, Director of International Relations at OceanCare, providing an update about efforts in Greece as well as the PSSA, including results of an analysis of vessel traffic in the Northwestern Mediterranean Sea.
Progress Made, Challenges Remain
While progress has been made, there was a transparent and productive exchange on addressing the key obstacles to further achieve significant risk reduction for whales being hit by vessels.
While vessels being routed outside of the main habitat for sperm whales is one major measure in the Hellenic Trench, reducing vessel speed is the core measure to be approached for the Northwestern Mediterranean Sea. However, it was also noted that vessel slowdown is a measure that generates also additional environmental benefits.
The event was concluded with a note that if hurdles are taken, the Mediterranean Sea could become a shining example and kind of role model for other regions in progressively mitigating vessel strike risk. However, the hurdles are still severe, and time is pressing for whales to receive better protection.
