Working together to create quieter and safer waters for the whales
Swiftsure Bank is a known foraging area of importance to southern resident killer whales, which are listed as endangered in both Canada and the United States. Both countries’ governments have identified underwater noise from ships as one of the key threats to killer whales, due to its interference with their ability to hunt, navigate and communicate via echolocation.
To reduce the impacts of commercial shipping on at-risk whales in this key foraging area, the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority-led Enhancing Cetacean Habitat and Observation (ECHO) Program coordinates a voluntary ship slowdown at Swiftsure Bank in collaboration with government agencies, Indigenous communities, the marine transportation industry, and environmental groups.
The Swiftsure Bank voluntary inbound and outbound ship slowdown is one of three threat reduction initiatives coordinated by the ECHO Program off the coasts of British Columbia and Washington State. Since 2017, these initiatives have encouraged thousands of ship operators to slow down or stay distanced in southern resident killer whale critical habitat, reducing underwater sound intensity by up to 55% in key foraging areas.
About the 2024 voluntary ship slowdown at Swiftsure Bank
The slowdown will run from June 1 to October 31, 2024, across both the outbound and inbound shipping lanes, a total distance of 23 nautical miles. During the slowdown, large commercial ships transiting through Swiftsure Bank are asked to voluntarily slow down to the below speeds, when it is safe and operationally feasible to do so:
- 14.5 knots or less through the water for vehicle carriers, cruise ships and container vessels
- 11 knots or less through the water for bulkers, tankers and government vessels
To learn more, visit the following resources:
Success requires collaboration
The logistics of coordinating a voluntary ship slowdown outside of the port authority’s jurisdiction are complex and involve collaboration with many other advisors and partners. The port authority is very grateful for the ongoing participation and support of our many advisors and partners in both Canada and the United States who contribute to the continued success of these voluntary initiatives. This voluntary slowdown is one of the commitments under the ECHO Program’s Species at Risk Act, Section 11 Conservation Agreement.
Annual reports, questions or feedback
A summary of the 2023 voluntary slowdown at Swiftsure Bank can be found here: Summary report – 2023 Swiftsure Bank voluntary ship slowdown. For access to previous years’ annual reports, please contact the ECHO Program team at [email protected].
For questions or comments on the ECHO Program, send an email to [email protected].or call the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority Operations Centre at 604.665.9086. For updates on the lateral displacement and other ECHO Program initiatives, please subscribe to the ECHO Program newsletter.