Dr. Richard Merrick – Acting Chief, READ

The Science Underlying NOAA’s Right Whale Ship Strike Reduction Strategy

Abstract

Ship strike mortality is slowing recovery of the North Atlantic right whale (Eubalaena glacialis) population. This species’ abundance was 325 animals in 2003, yet an average of 2.4 right whales were known to have died annually due to ship strikes during 2002-2006.  Analyses by NOAA and Canadian scientists of known vessel strikes show that vessel speed directly affects the number and severity of ship strikes.  Thus, reducing lethal vessel interactions requires that vessels and whales either be separated or that vessels reduce their speed in the presence of whales.  NOAA has followed this two pronged approach through rule-making implemented in December 2008 which affects shipping in US waters.  Vessels longer than 20m (65’) are:  1) required to travel at 10 kts or less in seasonal and dynamic management areas along the US east coast, 2) requested to follow routings in areas of high risk (e.g., the southern calving grounds), and 3) requested to either avoid completely or traverse at 10 kts or less an area of particularly high risk (the Great South Channel during spring).  The latter has been designated an Area To Be Avoided by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) effective June 2009. Finally, working through the IMO, NOAA and the US Coast Guard realigned the Traffic Separation Scheme into Boston, MA as an additional measure to reduce ship strike risk.  Here I present the scientific analyses that supported these multiple management measures through a long, contentious, and continuing debate.  This is case study of the importance of strong scientific support for controversial management measures that should be considered when establishing similar conservation measures elsewhere in the world.