Page 32 - ARUBA TODAY

A32 FEATURE
Tuesday 5 sepTember 2017
Ships slowing in busy channel to protect endangered orcas

By PHUONG LE ing the trial. His research is
Associated Press privately funded and inde-
SEATTLE (AP) — Ships mov- pendent of the port proj-
ing through a busy chan- ect.
nel off Washington state’s Veirs said his study will use a
San Juan Island are slowing network of hydrophones —
down this summer as part microphones that detect
of a study to determine underwater sound waves
whether that can reduce — to analyze whether or-
noise and benefit a small, cas change the sounds
endangered population of associated with their forag-
killer whales. ing.
The Puget Sound orcas When orcas hunt for Chi-
spend summer months in a nook salmon, they send
major shipping channel in out a click and listen for the
the Salish Sea that is critical echo of the click off the
habitat for the whales. In this file photo taken July 31, 2015, an orca whale leaps out of the water near a whale watching fish, he said. “If the noise is
The trial, led by the Van- boat in the Salish Sea in the San Juan Islands, Wash. making that hunting pro-
couver Fraser Port Author- Associated Press cess more difficult, they
ity, is trying to understand participation,” said Orla tions such as eating, navi- ocean, it becomes quite might click louder, or might
whether reducing com- Robinson, program man- gating and communicat- clear that ships are domi- click more often or stop al-
mercial vessel speeds can ager for the Enhancing Ce- ing to stay together as a
reduce underwater noise. tacean Habitat and Con- family group,” said Marla
Orcas use clicks, calls and servation program led by Holt, a research wildlife bi-
other sounds to navigate, the Vancouver Fraser Port ologist who studies marine
communicate and forage Authority. mammal acoustics with the
mainly for salmon. The program launched in Northwest Fisheries Science
Noise and other impacts 2014 to bring shipping in- Center in Seattle.
from vessels is one of three dustry and other groups to- There’s evidence that slow-
major threats facing the gether to reduce impacts ing down can be an effec-
whales. Lack of prey and of shipping-related activi- tive way to reduce under-
pollution are the others. ties to orcas in the southern water noise from vessels,
They currently number 78. coast of British Columbia. she said. Reducing vessel
The two-month trial asks The port is offering $500 speed by one knot can In this July 31, 2015, file photo, an orca whale breaches in view
cruise ships, ferries, bulk each trip when ships slow reduce noise level by one of Mount Baker, some 60 miles distant, in the Salish Sea in the
containers and other com- down. decibel. San Juan Islands, Wash.
mercial vessels to voluntari- Earlier this year, it began Studies have shown the Associated Press
ly slow to 11 knots through offering discounted harbor whales spend more time
Haro Strait. Average ves- rates for quieter ships and traveling and less time for- nating the landscape,” together,” he said.
sel speeds typically range vessels that install technol- aging in the presence of said Scott Veirs, a marine Researchers with Seattle-
from 13 knots for bulk carri- based Oceans Initiative
ers to 18 knots for container will lead another study
ships. The project began in looking at changes in the
early August and ends Oct. orcas’ surface behavior in
6. response to the noise, Veirs
Nearly five dozen indus- said.
try participants, including The trial also comes as
Washington State Ferries National Oceanic and At-
and Holland America Line, mospheric Administration
have formally agreed to Fisheries is considering a
slow down when it’s fea- whale protection zone off
sible and safe, port officials the west coast of San Juan
said. Recreational and Island. Most motorized ves-
whale-watching boats are sels would be banned if a
encouraged to slow down no-go zone is approved.
as well. Several groups who peti-
In the first week, about 59 tioned for the zone argue
percent of commercial ves- it’s a common-sense ap-
sels reduced their speed. proach to reduce boat
Participation increased to noise and disturbance that
about 68 percent in the can be put in place imme-
second week. It dropped diately.
to about 55 percent in the Others worry the efforts will
third week with stronger tid- require too much time and
al currents contributing to money and divert attention
concerns about costs and This September 2015 file photo provided by NOAA Fisheries shows an adult female orca, identified from the fact that orcas
not meeting schedules. On as J-16, as she’s about to surface with her youngest calf, born earlier in the year, near the San Juan don’t have enough of their
Islands in Washington state’s Puget Sound.
average, 95 commercial preferred Chinook salmon
vessels transit Haro Strait ogy to reduce propeller boat traffic. Their calls are biologist with Beam Reach, to eat. Some have suggest-
each week. and other noise. also louder when noise lev- who will independently ed NOAA Fisheries imple-
“We’re certainly very en- “Noise can interfere with els are higher. study how orcas respond to ment a speed zone in Haro
couraged for that level of these really important func- “Just by listening to the the slower ship speeds dur- Strait as an alternative.q