Collision/strike

Addressing the activities and threats

Last updated | 14 December 2023

Introduction

A collision or ship strike can be defined as the forceful impact between any part of a watercraft, and a live marine mammal, often resulting in death, major injuries or physical trauma, (although these injuries may not always be externally visible) [1]. Virtually any type of vessel may be involved, from large cargo vessels and cruise ships to small outboard recreational craft. Any type of marine mammal may be impacted, from large and small whales, through dolphins, pinnipeds and, in some areas, sirenians (manatees and dugongs). They can occur in the open ocean, high-traffic areas such a shipping lanes and inshore areas including ports.

Factors affecting the numbers of vessel strikes on marine mammals

A major factor affecting the numbers of ship strikes on marine mammals is the volume of shipping traffic, which increased fourfold between 1992 and 2012 [2] and continues to increase at a rate of around 2-3% per year. In 2020, it was estimated that there were 98, 140 commercial ships over 100 gross tons operating globally. This does not account for non-container vessels [8]. Ship-based travel has also escalated, with fast-passenger ferries traversing coastal areas that are regularly used and/or inhabited by whales and dolphins [3].

Vessel speed has been identified in many studies to affect the likelihood of collision and injury to the animal [4]. Speed limits of 10 knots have frequently been applied in sensitive areas.

The spatial relationship between areas of high vessel activity and areas of high marine mammal density, whether at the international shipping or local scale, greatly impacts the possibility of ship strike. This has become a major focus of research in order to mitigate ship strikes. For example, the IWC collects, and analyses historic and current reported ship strikes on a global scale to identify key hot spots where high numbers of whales coincide with busy shipping lanes [5]. As of May 2016, 1, 200 have been recorded by IWC. Other studies and strategies work at the level of individual MPAs [6].

Strategies for reducing vessel strike

Data collection is vital in order to understand a) areas of high vessel traffic, b) the distribution and abundance of marine mammals, and c) hotspots for vessel strike. Managers and scientists rely on reports of known collisions, which should be compulsory, stored for analysis, and reported to the IWC for their database [5].

Data analysis effectively brings together a, b, and c) above, to undertake risk assessments for species based on known distribution, critical habitat, vulnerability to vessel strike and vessel traffic. Spatio-temporal studies can also inform management regarding mitigation strategies through the identification of hotspots for vessel-strikes, and seasonal factors.

Mitigation strategies essentially involve keeping vessels away from marine mammals, reducing speed, and promoting awareness vessel operators. They may involve speed limits for large vessels and/or speed limits for all vessels within critical marine mammal habitats, or seasonal bans in certain areas. Vessel routing (traffic separation schemes) may be particularly useful in reducing the risk to whales from large ships [7].

The IWC Global Ship Strikes Database

In 2007, the IWC launched an initiative to collect and analyse information about reported ship strikes, both historic and current, and on a global scale. The aim of this work is to identify ‘hot spots’ where large numbers of whales coincide with busy shipping lanes. Once this information has been checked and analysed, it will be shared with the widest possible range of stakeholders to help develop mitigation actions that are targeted and effective.