A new study led by the University of Victoria claims that as Arctic sea ice shrinks and shipping traffic increases, vessel disturbance could impact the social behaviors, distribution and long-term survival of belugas and bowhead whales.

The study, led UVic marine biologist Lauren McWhinnie, was published in a peer-reviewed journal entitled Ocean and Coastal Management.

Photo Credit: Clare Trotter

In the study, McWhinnie calls for precautionary measures to minimize negative impacts of increased vessel traffic such as noise and ship strikes.

“We can start by trying to apply the lessons learned from vessel management in heavily trafficked southern regions while we still have the opportunity to do things right in the Arctic,” says McWhinnie, a post-doctoral researcher in UVic’s geography department.

“A voluntary restriction on vessel speed will reduce the likelihood of ship strikes and contribute to reducing noise levels. Other trial studies have shown that slower vessels pose less risk to marine mammals.”

Photo Credit: William Halliday

The research identified and evaluated 14 vessel management tools to assess potential suitability for use in the Arctic.

After evaluation, researchers recommended at least two spatial tools were suitable including a voluntary exclusion zone (avoidance) and a voluntary speed reduction zone.

“The important thing is that we start considering these problems now while we still have a window of opportunity to do something about this issue and before these animals are in the position of their more southerly endangered counterparts, such as the southern resident killer whales in BC and northern right whales on the East Coast,” says McWhinnie.

Photo Credit: Kate Stafford

Click here to read the published study.