Government of Canada: Reducing Vessel Noise and Disturbance

• Main Author: German, Sara
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: Western CEDAR 2022
• Subjects: Canada; Killer Whale; Killer whale
• Online Access: https://cedar.wwu.edu/ssec/2022ssec/allsessions/68; https://cedar.wwu.edu/context/ssec/article/3230/viewcontent/SSEC_20Canada_20UWN_202022_S_20German.pdf

This presentation describes Canada's comprehensive approach to reducing underwater radiated noise (URN) from ships, as well as some of Canada's national and international efforts to reduce and tackle the URN issue. One of the goals of these efforts is to better understand and manage the cumulative effects of shipping activities on endangered whales in different parts of the country, particularly the Southern Resident Killer Whale on our West Coast. Given the complexity of reducing underwater noise and physical disturbance from ships, the Government of Canada has taken a multidimensional approach to this issue. This approach includes both operational and technical solutions, takes into account the impacts and contributions of vessels of all sizes, supports ongoing research and development, and recognizes the importance of international engagement and collaboration in order to advance the knowledge, design and technologies of silent vessels. This presentation provides examples of initiatives that Canada has carried out as part of this multidimensional approach. This work is all part of a larger strategy to reduce physical and acoustic disturbance from vessels and work towards protection and recovery of Southern Resident Killer Whales, creating a quieter future for the whales in the Salish Sea.