It’s well known that cargo vessels and whales don’t mix; whale-ship collisions are one of the leading causes of death for the majestic creatures. However, between high-profile accidents, careful observations by researchers in special areas and reporting by federal agencies such as the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration, the global picture of whales versus ships has been somewhat unclear.
In a University of Washington-led paper published in the journal Science, UC Santa Barbara researchers add some clarity to that picture and it’s sobering: Global shipping traffic overlaps with about 92% of blue, fin, humpback and sperm whales’ migratory ranges.
“Most ship-strike studies are done at a regional scale, which is critically important to do, but does not give us the full picture of ship strikes worldwide,” said study co-author Rachel Rhodes, a project scientist at UCSB’s Benioff Ocean Science Laboratory (BOSL).
“This analysis is the first global map of ship strike risk for these four large whale species, which is important because it helps us zoom out and look at the areas at highest risk at a global level. By taking this broader perspective, we can identify the highest-risk areas worldwide and strategically direct future research and conservation efforts where they’re needed most.”