Whales are perishing in the waters of British Columbia, some due to collisions with vessels, while others struggle to locate food amidst the noise generated by ships. In a disturbing incident captured on video in May, a Sea-Doo was observed striking a grey whale off the coast of Vancouver. Tragedy struck again last October when a humpback whale was hit by a whale-watching boat, leading to the discovery of a dead whale in the same vicinity shortly after. Another humpback fell victim to a B.C. Ferries vessel a month earlier, with the unfortunate discovery of a deceased whale following the incident.
This troubling pattern is on the rise and could potentially escalate as ferry traffic intensifies and Canada aims to enhance its shipping operations to Asia through these very waters. In response, two organizations in British Columbia are taking action to mitigate these threats.
One such initiative is the HALLO project, a pilot program spearheaded by Simon Fraser University, which focuses on reducing ship noise to facilitate the endangered southern resident killer whales in their search for sustenance. Lauren Laturnus, a biology master’s student at SFU, emphasized the importance of safeguarding these whales as integral members of the ecosystem. Utilizing specialized surveying equipment, Laturnus monitors whale activities in the Salish Sea while keeping a close eye on vessel movements from East Point on Saturna Island.
The goal is to assess the frequency of whale-vessel interactions and provide timely reports to the Ocean Wise Whale Alert System for commercial mariners to adjust their speed or course accordingly. Additionally, around 100 volunteer citizen scientists have been trained to observe whale behaviors around Saturna, Pender, and Mayne Islands and relay their observations to the Whale Alert System.
HALLO’s primary objective is to create a conducive environment that allows southern resident killer whales to feed without disruptions. These orcas heavily rely on sound to navigate their surroundings, and vessel noise poses a significant interference. Classified as one of Canada’s most critically endangered marine mammals, the southern resident orcas are estimated to number around 74 in British Columbia, excluding a new calf recently spotted. Their main food source, the dwindling chinook salmon, is primarily found in the Salish Sea, a bustling shipping route in North America.
Efforts to enhance protections have seen HALLO collaborating with the W̱SÁNEĆ Marine Guardians, an Indigenous-led conservation initiative in the Salish Sea. By restoring the sacred connection between First Nations communities and whales, the Marine Guardians aim to ensure the survival of these magnificent creatures and safeguard the marine ecosystems. Biologist Rachel Fairfield Checko analyzes hydrophone recordings to identify various whale species, combining this data with Indigenous knowledge to advocate for improved whale protection measures from the federal government.
The W̱SÁNEĆ people’s successful advocacy led to the establishment of a voluntary slowdown zone in the Tumbo Channel from June 1 to November 30, 2026, underscoring the importance of year-round protective measures for the southern resident killer whales. Recently, the Government of Canada extended the minimum distance vessels must maintain from the orcas from 200 meters to 1000 meters.
Experts emphasize the urgent need for enhanced protections for humpback whales, considering that an estimated 20,000 whales worldwide fall victim to vessel strikes annually, as reported by the International Marine Mammal Project. While species like orcas, seals, and sea lions have adapted to coexist with vessels, humpback whales remain vulnerable to such collisions. Andrew Trites, a professor at the UBC Marine Mammal Research Unit, highlighted the lack of evolutionary adaptation in whales to perceive ships as potential threats.
Glenn Jones, the founder of Reach Technologies Inc., has developed an innovative optical technology designed to detect objects penetrating the water’s surface, initially intended for military applications but now repurposed for tracking whales. Jones envisions deploying this technology on commercial vessels and ferries to enhance whale detection capabilities and promote safer cohabitation between whales and maritime traffic.
As whale populations witness a resurgence, it is imperative to implement proactive measures that prioritize the safety and conservation of these majestic marine mammals while ensuring harmonious coexistence with human activities.