Vancouver Fraser Port Authority |

Vancouver Fraser Port Authority

Orla Robinson

ECHO Program Manager

October 7, 2019

Reducing the effects of shipping on whalesEnhancing Cetacean Habitat and Observation (ECHO) Program

Vancouver Fraser Port Authority |

Our vision

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Vancouver Fraser Port Authority | 3

Commercial shipping activities and whalesContext for the ECHO Program

Vancouver Fraser Port Authority |

Enhancing Cetacean Habitat and Observation Program

What? A collaboration with marine transportation industries, conservation groups, scientists, Indigenous individuals and Canadian and US governments

When? Convened Nov 2014Why? To better understand and reduce the cumulative

effects of commercial vessel activities on at-risk whales throughout the southern coast of British Columbia

Key focus? • Research projects to inform

• Voluntary actions to reduce threats

• Educational materials to raise mariners’ awareness.

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Vancouver Fraser Port Authority |

Program highlights

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How does slowing or moving ships affect underwater noise? Ship slowdown and route alteration trials

Vancouver Fraser Port Authority |

Ship slowdown in Haro Strait and Boundary Pass

Trial status: Active until at least Oct 15Trial start: July 5

2019 voluntary ship slowdown in Haro Strait and Boundary Pass

82%pilot-reported participation

(first 12 weeks)

21days where

southern resident killer whales were confirmed in area

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Vancouver Fraser Port Authority |

Route alteration (lateral displacement) of tugs in the Strait of Juan de Fuca

Trial area: Canadian inshore zone in Strait of Juan de Fuca

Trial status: Active until October 31Trial start: June 17

2019 voluntary route alteration in the Strait of Juan de Fuca

75%participation

(first 14 weeks)

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Vancouver Fraser Port Authority |

• Three locations with two years of data. Fourth location installed in early 2019.

• Measured by underwater microphones (hydrophones)

• Data analyzed to learn about background noise and patterns

• Comparison of noise levels

• Measure success of voluntary actions

• Marine mammal detections

How do different areas sound? Underwater noise monitoring in the region

2. Strait of Georgia

3. Boundary Pass

4. Haro Strait

1. Burrard Inlet

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Vancouver Fraser Port Authority |

Burrard Inlet underwater noise monitoring projectPilot project: January 2019-January 2020

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Vancouver Fraser Port Authority |

• First of its kind in Canada • Formalizes role of ECHO

Program over five-year term• Focuses on existing and new

voluntary efforts to reduce acoustic and physical disturbance from large commercial vessels operating in Southern Resident killer whale critical habitat

ECHO program: Formalizing our commitment

Species at Risk Act Section 11 Conservation Agreement to support recovery of southern resident killer whales

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Vancouver Fraser Port Authority |

• Evaluation of 2019 voluntary trials to inform next steps

• Project to understand correlation between underwater noise and ship characteristics

• Continue to develop real-time notifications to alert commercial ship operators when whales are in the area

ECHO program: Looking ahead

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Vancouver Fraser Port Authority |

Thank you for listening!

ECHO@portvancouver.comwww.portvancouver.com/echo

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Reducing the effects of shipping on whales�Enhancing Cetacean Habitat and Observation (ECHO) ProgramOur visionCommercial shipping activities and whales�Context for the ECHO ProgramEnhancing Cetacean Habitat and Observation ProgramProgram highlightsHow does slowing or moving ships affect underwater noise? �Ship slowdown and route alteration trials2019 voluntary ship slowdown in Haro Strait and Boundary Pass2019 voluntary route alteration in the Strait of Juan de FucaHow do different areas sound? �Underwater noise monitoring in the regionBurrard Inlet underwater noise monitoring project�Pilot project: January 2019-January 2020ECHO program: Formalizing our commitmentECHO program: Looking aheadThank you for listening!