The shipping industry has been slow to implement measures to reduce whale and dolphin strikes, despite broad scientific consensus that vessel speed reductions and route management can significantly lower collision risk. This is according to a new report released following the 37th European Cetacean Society conference in Scotland.
The report, Advancing Towards Mitigation of Collision Risk for Marine Traffic, found that spatial and temporal separation of vessels and cetaceans, followed by vessel speed reductions, remain the most effective measures for reducing collision risk. However, implementation across the maritime sector remains limited.
A persistent gap remains between scientific knowledge and real-world adoption, experts participating in the conference workshop said, calling on governments and industry leaders to commit to more consistent policies.
The report found that implementation is often constrained by perceived economic and operational costs, despite broad agreement on the effectiveness of mitigation measures.
The workshop examined the Canary Islands as a case study where high cetacean diversity overlaps with dense international shipping traffic and intensive inter-island ferry operations.
According to the report, a speed limit of 10 knots for international shipping transiting the area's Traffic Separation Schemes would add approximately three hours to a typical voyage, which participants described as a modest operational cost relative to the conservation benefits.
The report notes that technological solutions are evolving rapidly but must be effectively integrated into operational practices. Participants stressed that these technologies are most effective when used in combination with operational measures rather than as standalone solutions.
Technologies discussed included thermal detection systems, passive acoustic monitoring, and AI-based analysis of drone and satellite imagery to identify marine mammals.
Participants said further validation, standardisation and integration into operational workflows were needed to ensure practical performance.
The report suggests that mitigation measures should be tailored to vessel type. While speed reductions may be practical for conventional shipping, high-speed ferries would require alternative approaches combining real-time detection, adaptive operating protocols and stakeholder engagement.
Calling for a global, multi-layered response, the report recommends greater standardisation of risk assessment methodologies, improved data sharing and reporting, and stronger industry participation through incentive-based programmes, education and voluntary initiatives.
