An economic analysis of shipping costs related to potential changes in vessel operating procedures to manage the co-occurrence of maritime vessel traffic and whales in the Channel Islands region

Gonyo, Sarah Ball; Goedeke, Theresa L.; Wolfe, K. Eric; Jeffrey, Christopher F.G.; Gorstein, M.; Poti, Matthew; Dorfman, Daniel

doi:10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2019.04.024

Cited by 14 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 18 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…While the shipping industry has expressed concerns about economic impacts of speed reductions in the past, they have proven unfounded (Silber and Bettridge, 2012). Similarly, an analysis of the likely economic effect of speed reduction in our study region suggests there would be little cost to industry (Betz et al, 2011;Gonyo et al, 2019). Thus, based on our analysis, we recommend that if vessels do not rapidly increase cooperation with the VSR to levels necessary to ensure vessel-strike related mortality does not inhibit reaching and maintaining optimal sustainable populations, a mandatory VSR should be considered.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 77%

“…The implementation of Constantine et al, 2015;Silber et al, 2015;Freedman et al, 2017;Guzman et al, 2020). While slower vessel speeds can have additional benefits such as decreased ocean noise, lower emissions, and greater fuel efficiency (Leaper, 2019), longer transit times can add costs (Betz et al, 2011;Gonyo et al, 2019). Since the shipping industry may incur some costs for slowing down, it is important that sound science and effective analyses support the trade-offs involved in VSR management actions.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Modeling Whale Deaths From Vessel Strikes to Reduce the Risk of Fatality to Endangered Whales

et al. 2021

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Vessel strikes have been documented around the world and frequently figure as a top human cause of large whale mortality. The shipping lanes in the Santa Barbara Channel, California and nearby waters have some of the highest predicted whale mortality from vessel strikes in the United States waters of the eastern Pacific. Beginning in 2007, National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration requested voluntary vessel speed reductions (VSRs) for vessels greater than 300 GT traveling in the Santa Barbara Channel shipping routes to decrease whale mortality from ship strikes. We employed a ship strike model using whale density data and automatic identification system (AIS) vessel data to estimate mortality under several management scenarios. To assess the effect of the VSR on strike mortality, we bootstrapped speeds from vessels greater than 19 m long that transited when no VSR was in place. Finally, we calculated the predicted mortality for hypothetical cooperation scenarios by artificially adding speed caps post-hoc to real vessel transits. For 2012–2018, we estimated that in our study area on average during summer/fall (June–November) 8.9 blue, 4.6 humpback, and 9.7 fin whales were killed from ship strikes each year (13–26% greater than previously estimated). We evaluated winter/spring (January–April) humpback mortality for the first time, resulting in an estimate of 5.7 deaths on average per year. Poor cooperation with the VSR led to low (5% maximum) to no reductions in the estimated number of strike mortalities. Evaluating potential scenarios showed that if 95% cooperation occurred in the lanes, whale deaths there would decrease by 22–26%. Adding VSRs with similar cooperation levels at the northern end of the Santa Barbara Channel and south of Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary could decrease estimated strike mortalities in those areas by 30%. If VSRs were added and cooperation reached 95% there and in the lanes, we estimate a 21–29% decrease in vessel strike mortalities could be attained relative to estimated mortality in the entire study area. To decrease the vessel strike related whale mortalities in this region, we recommend expanding the VSR areas and increasing cooperation voluntarily, or considering mandatory speed limits if desired cooperation levels cannot otherwise be met.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 77%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Modeling Whale Deaths From Vessel Strikes to Reduce the Risk of Fatality to Endangered Whales

et al. 2021

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…When possible, using multiple approaches is likely to achieve the greatest reduction in deaths (Silber et al 2012b, Couvat & Gambaiani 2013. In addition, there are increasing calls to move toward a more holistic and geographically extensive approach to ship strikes (Rockwood et al 2017, Pirotta et al 2019, Sèbe et al 2019 and inclusion of economic tradeoffs and consequences of whale strikes and their management (Freedman et al 2017, Gonyo et al 2019, Sèbe et al 2019. The approach developed here can help evaluate speed restrictions and their enforcement both before and after implementation and has the potential to incorporate economic considerations and be applied across a range of spatial scales.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Estimating effectiveness of speed reduction measures for decreasing whale-strike mortality in a high-risk region

Rockwood

Adams

Silber³

et al. 2020

Endang. Species. Res.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Recent estimates of blue (Balaenoptera musculus) and humpback (Megaptera novaeangliae) whale ship-strike deaths on the US west coast are above the Potential Biological Removal limit determined by the National Marine Fisheries Service. Beginning in 2015, the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration requested voluntary Vessel Speed Reductions (VSR) in the designated shipping routes off San Francisco, California, USA, in order to decrease whale mortality from ship strikes. We applied a ship strike model based on whale density and Automatic Identification System (AIS) vessel data. We bootstrapped speeds from vessels that transited when no VSR was in place to assess the effect of the VSR on strike mortality rates. Finally, we calculated the expected mortality for hypothetical compliance scenarios by programmatically imposing speed caps. Average predicted mortality for the region was 2.7 blue whales and 7.0 humpback whales in a 4 month period. Compared to years prior to the VSR (2012-2014), vessel speeds during the VSR were slower. This lowered blue whale deaths within the shipping lanes by 11-13% and humpback whale deaths by 9-10% in 2016-2017. If 95% of mariners adhered to recommended 10 knot (kn) limits in the shipping lanes alone, we predicted twice as many blue whale and 3 times as many humpback whale deaths would be avoided relative to current adherence. Adding a 10 kn speed limit (with 95% cooperation) at the ends of each of the lanes would result in about 5- and 4-fold reductions in blue whale and humpback whale mortality, respectively, relative to current practices. Our approach can evaluate ship strikes and mitigation measures for whale populations around the globe.

show abstract

“…By connecting the voluntary speed reduction to reduced carbon emissions and reduced public health risk, the programme has built a strong partnership with California Clean Air agencies interested in reducing public health risks (NOAA, ; Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District, ). The 2017 programme engaged 11 global shipping companies reporting the slowing of 143 ship transits to ≤12 kn (with 66% to ≤10 kn); this cut carbon emissions and fuel costs, in addition to reducing risk of collision with marine mammals (Gonyo et al, ).…”

Section: Tracking the Spatial Dimensions Of Marine Mammal Populationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Looking beyond the horizon: An early warning system to keep marine mammal information relevant for conservation

Agardy¹,

Cody

Hastings

et al. 2019

Aquatic Conservation

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Important marine mammal areas (IMMAs) are discrete portions of habitat, important to marine mammal species, that have the potential to be delineated and managed for conservation. Although IMMAs are not a blueprint for marine protected areas or other conservation designations, they are useful for providing a foundation for marine spatial planning and systematic conservation planning that can then lead to protected areas or special spatial regulations. To be most useful for supporting management and conservation, however, the information coming out of IMMAs needs to reflect current conditions. An ‘early warning system’ is proposed with a generic set of indicators to flag when marine mammal species in IMMAs require management interventions due to changing distributions or decreasing populations. Rather than signifying that quantitative thresholds have been reached, these indicators comprise alerting information derived from visual or acoustic census, satellite imagery analysis, whale‐watching logs, or increases in mortality reported by stranding networks that can trigger additional targeted research. Although it is possible that in some regions data will be sufficient to provide quantifiable indicators, the system is meant to rely on existing data sources, and be adaptable to the circumstances of each region. Regional expert groups can utilize early warning system information and feed it into IMMA‐related spatial planning in two ways: by nominating additional areas of interest, and by providing a scientific rationale for revising IMMA boundaries, to be considered at the next decadal IMMA regional expert workshop. IMMA‐driven consolidation of information that is as current as possible will prove valuable for enhancing regional cooperation to conserve marine mammals, and will be useful as countries implement new protected areas to conserve marine mammals and other marine biodiversity.

show abstract

An economic analysis of shipping costs related to potential changes in vessel operating procedures to manage the co-occurrence of maritime vessel traffic and whales in the Channel Islands region

Cited by 14 publications

References 18 publications

Modeling Whale Deaths From Vessel Strikes to Reduce the Risk of Fatality to Endangered Whales

Modeling Whale Deaths From Vessel Strikes to Reduce the Risk of Fatality to Endangered Whales

Estimating effectiveness of speed reduction measures for decreasing whale-strike mortality in a high-risk region

Looking beyond the horizon: An early warning system to keep marine mammal information relevant for conservation

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About