Whales are facing mortality in the waters of British Columbia due to various reasons such as collisions with vessels and challenges in finding food caused by ship noise disturbances. Notable incidents include a Sea-Doo striking a grey whale in Vancouver, a humpback whale being hit by a whale-watching boat, and another humpback being struck by a B.C. Ferries vessel with a subsequent discovery of a dead whale in the same vicinity. This concerning trend is expected to escalate as ferry traffic intensifies and Canada enhances its shipping activities to Asia through these waters.
To address this issue, two British Columbia organizations are stepping up their efforts. One initiative, known as HALLO (Humans and Algorithms Listening for Orcas), led by Simon Fraser University, aims to mitigate ship noise affecting the endangered southern resident killer whales’ ability to locate food sources. The project, spearheaded by Lauren Laturnus, a biology master’s student at SFU, involves monitoring whale movements in the Salish Sea while also keeping tabs on vessel traffic near Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland.
Laturnus emphasized the importance of safeguarding whales as integral components of the ecosystem. By employing surveying equipment, she observes the whales’ presence in conjunction with large vessels, sending timely reports to the Ocean Wise Whale Alert System. Additionally, approximately 100 volunteer citizen scientists have been trained to monitor whale activities around Saturna, Pender, and Mayne Islands, contributing valuable data to the Whale Alert System.
The HALLO project’s primary objective is to create a conducive environment for southern resident killer whales to feed without disruptions. These whales heavily rely on sound for navigating their surroundings, and vessel noise poses a significant hindrance to their feeding habits. Given their critical endangered status, with only about 74 individuals in British Columbia’s waters, protecting them becomes paramount. These whales primarily feed on declining chinook salmon, predominantly found in the Salish Sea, a bustling shipping route in North America.
In a bid to bolster protections, HALLO has partnered with the W̱SÁNEĆ Marine Guardians, an Indigenous-led conservation initiative in the Salish Sea. The Marine Guardians emphasize the restoration of the sacred bond between First Nations communities and whales to ensure their preservation and safeguard ecosystems. Biologist Rachel Fairfield Checko’s analysis of hydrophone recordings, combined with Indigenous knowledge, advocates for enhanced whale protections from the federal government.
The W̱SÁNEĆ people successfully advocated for increased protections in the Tumbo Channel, securing a voluntary slowdown zone from June 1 to November 30, 2026. However, Fairfield Checko highlighted the need for year-round vessel restricted zones to safeguard the year-round presence of southern resident killer whales.
Moreover, experts stress the necessity for enhanced protections for humpback whales, as vessel strikes worldwide claim an estimated 20,000 whales annually, with humpbacks, along with other large whale species, being frequent victims. Andrew Trites, a professor at the UBC Marine Mammal Research Unit, highlighted the challenges humpback whales face in coexisting with vessels compared to orcas, seals, and sea lions.
Glenn Jones, founder of Reach Technologies Inc., has developed an optical technology utilizing a 360-degree rotating multispectral camera system to detect objects penetrating the water surface. Originally designed for the Canadian Department of National Defence, the technology has proven effective in tracking whales. Jones aims to implement this technology on commercial vessels and ferries to swiftly identify whales, providing ample time for vessels to adjust course and avoid collisions.
In conclusion, the preservation of marine life, particularly whales, in British Columbia’s waters remains a critical priority. Collaborative efforts between various organizations, researchers, and citizen scientists are instrumental in enhancing protections and fostering coexistence between marine mammals and maritime activities.