New Tool Tracks Ship Speeds to Protect Whales

• 11 Apr 2024

To address rising whale deaths from ship collisions near US ports, a groundbreaking tool now monitors ship speeds and enforces limits in whale zones.

Key Points

• Tracking Ship Speeds: New tool monitors if shipping companies follow speed limits near major US ports to protect whales.
• Reduced Speeds: Analysis shows large vessels slowed down 59% of the time in designated slow-speed zones.
• Safety Measures: Researchers emphasizes the importance of slowing down near whales to prevent tragic deaths.
• Cargo Ship Impact: Limiting speeds reduces threats to whales from cargo ships, making strikes less fatal.
• Global Concern: Whale strikes are a worldwide issue, prompting hopes that the tool can inspire similar efforts globally.