Human activities, particularly the exponential growth in global shipping, have cast a shadow over the welfare of marine life, specifically whales. The surge in shipping density, quadrupling since 1992, has led to a disturbing rise in ship strikes on whales.
A groundbreaking study, detailed in the Biological Conservation journal (Volume 32, 2023), delves into the severity of ship strikes on individual whale welfare. Employing the innovative ‘Welfare Assessment Tool for Wild Cetaceans’ (WATWC) based on the Five Domains model.
The Rising Threat of Ship Strikes on Whales
Ship strikes emerged as a primary cause of human-induced mortality for whales, magnified by the four-fold global growth in shipping from 1992 to 2012. This escalating issue gains significance with the continuous rise in shipping traffic and the accompanying increase in vessel speeds.
Recent estimates indicate that ship strikes annually kill ten humpback whales off the Californian coast alone. The intersection of growing whale populations and heightened shipping activities paints a dire picture. Which emphasizes the escalating welfare concern for these majestic creatures.
Ship strikes, posing a significant threat to whales, call for the application of conservation welfare science to assess and address the welfare consequences of these collisions.
Unraveling Whale Welfare
The inherent challenges in assessing wild animal welfare, particularly for highly mobile, sea-dwelling species like whales, necessitate innovative approaches. The ‘Welfare Assessment Tool for Wild Cetaceans’ (WATWC), is rooted in the Five Domains model. It provides a systematic framework for evaluating compromise in physical and mental domains. In a groundbreaking study, experts utilized the WATWC to assess the likely severity of ship strikes on the welfare of humpback whales.
Expert Insights into Welfare Impact
Six hypothetical but realistic case studies involving ship-strike incidents with humpback whales in the Indian Ocean/southern hemisphere were presented to 29 experts. The experts were drawn from the cetacean and welfare sectors. They evaluated the impacts on various domains such as Nutrition, Environment, Health, Behaviour, and Affective State.
The experts were tasked with grading impacts on each domain, providing scores out of ten for each case study. The cases varied in severity, from laminar incising wounds to complete tail amputations. Notably, the severity of ship-strike incidents was found to have profound consequences, affecting aspects such as Health and Behaviour.
The findings underline the gravity of ship strikes on whales’ welfare. With the global increase in shipping, collisions with cetaceans have become a pressing concern. Utilizing the WATWC the study reveals that whales may endure some level of harm (Domain 5) for the entirety of their lives, even if the incident is not fatal. This establishes ship strikes as a significant welfare issue, warranting attention in legislative considerations.
Furthermore, The study advocates for the inclusion of ship-strike considerations in legislation. Especially in ‘high-risk’ areas where ships and whales converge. Port approaches, exemplified by the Lamu Port in Kenya, represent such zones.
Acknowledging ship-strikes as a welfare concern distinct from population viability concerns is crucial. Policymakers need to address this issue independently for effective marine conservation.
A Citizen-led Solution: WhaleReport Alert System
Addressing the severity of ship strikes on whale welfare is a pressing concern, demanding actionable solutions. The WhaleReport Alert System (WRAS) emerges as a beacon of hope, integrating citizen science and technology to mitigate the threats posed by ship strikes.
In a recent scientific article published in Biological Conservation (Volume 289, 2024), researchers highlight the success of the WhaleReport Alert System (WRAS) in mitigating threats to whales through Citizen Science.
The Role of Citizen Science in Stopping Ship Strikes on Whales
Citizen science is the practice of public participation and collaboration in scientific research to increase scientific knowledge. Through citizen science, people share and contribute to data monitoring and collection programs.
– National Geographic
Marine megafauna, including whales, dolphins, and porpoises, play vital roles in ocean ecosystem function and integrity. Because of the threats faced by these creatures, the Ocean Wise Sightings Network (OWSN) has been at the forefront of a long-running and expansive citizen science program. The OWSN collects sightings data from coastal communities, mariners, and tourists, creating a valuable database to monitor 23 cetacean species in British Columbia and Washington State waters.
The WhaleReport Alert System in Action
The WRAS builds on the success of the Ocean Wise Sightings Network (OWSN). It uses real-time sighting data to deliver real-time alerts to commercial mariners about the presence of at-risk cetacean species. This proactive approach empowers mariners to take immediate actions, such as altering course or reducing speed, to prevent ship strikes.
The success of the WRAS in British Columbia and Washington State stands as a testament to the potential of citizen science and technology in marine conservation.
Smartphone Technology for Real-time Life-saving Data
Smartphone apps revolutionize the way cetacean sightings are reported in real-time. Technology integration with citizen science has provided an opportunity to address immediate threats to whales, particularly from vessel strikes. The ubiquity of smartphones allows for the efficient collection of data, enabling researchers and conservationists to respond promptly to emerging situations.
The integration of smartphone technology has streamlined the process of reporting whale observations. This not only increases the amount of data generated but also enables real-time reporting, a crucial factor in mitigating imminent threats.
Developing Networks of Dedicated Volunteers
A dedicated network of volunteer reporters roots the success of WRAS. Over 7500 residents in coastal areas have actively participated in reporting whale sightings using their smartphones, creating a robust community committed to the conservation of these marine species.
Conclusion
As the global shipping landscape continues to expand, the threat of ship strikes on whales looms larger than ever. The scientific assessment of whale welfare consequences due to ship strikes provides a critical foundation for informed decision-making. The WhaleReport Alert System, marrying citizen science and technology, exemplifies a solution-driven approach to safeguarding these marine giants. It’s a call to action – a rallying cry for collective efforts to navigate the perils and ensure the well-being of whales in our oceans.
In summary:
- Ship strikes are a global priority threat to cetaceans, especially whales.
- It is important to acknowledge ship strikes as a welfare concern distinct from population viability concerns.
- Citizen science initiatives have the power to generate extensive data on cetaceans.
- Smartphone apps facilitate the generation of real-time cetacean sightings data.
- Combining citizen science and technology scientists created a ship strike mitigation tool.
- WhaleReport Alert System alerts mariners to the presence of at-risk cetacean species and allows them to prevent ship strikes. Thus, saving whales through Citizen Science.
References
Rae, F., Nicol, C., & Simmonds, M. (2023). Expert assessment of the impact of ship-strikes on cetacean welfare using the Welfare Assessment Tool for Wild Cetaceans. Animal Welfare, 32, E18. doi:10.1017/awf.2023.7
Scott, J. L., Birdsall, C., Robinson, C. V., Dares, L., Dracott, K., Jones, K., Purdy, A., & Barrett-Lennard, L. (2024). The WhaleReport Alert System: Mitigating threats to whales with citizen science. Biological Conservation, 289, 110422. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2023.110422