ECHO Program wraps up ninth season of coordinated efforts to protect whales

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Green Marine is pleased to highlight the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority’s successful completion of the ninth season of its Enhancing Cetacean Habitat and Observation (ECHO) Program, which brings together industry, government, Indigenous, environmental, scientific, and community partners to reduce the impacts of commercial shipping on at-risk whales on the West Coast. The 2025 season concluded with strong participation in voluntary measures that help reduce underwater noise in key feeding and migration areas for southern resident killer whales and other cetacean species.

During the ninth season, the ECHO Program again implemented voluntary vessel slowdowns and lateral displacement measures in critical whale habitat, building on several years of collaborative experience with the marine industry. These efforts encouraged a broad range of vessel types to reduce their speed or adjust their routes in designated areas (Haro Strait and Boundary Pass, Swiftsure Bank, and Strait of Juan de Fuca), demonstrating an ongoing commitment by ship operators, pilots, and terminals to support quieter seas for whales. Participation across all initiatives remained high this year, with a preliminary participation rate average of more than 87%.  View this year’s highlights on the ECHO program webpage.

Through data sharing, whale tracking, and coordinated operations, the ECHO program has become a prime example of how voluntary initiatives can contribute significantly to the recovery of endangered marine mammals.​ By prioritizing a collaborative and measurable approach to noise reduction, the program aligns closely with Green Marine’s performance indicators on underwater noise and marine mammal protection.

Over nine seasons, the ECHO Program has generated extensive data on underwater vessel noise, ship speeds, and whale behaviour, helping to refine mitigation strategies over time. Its science-based approach promotes the continuous improvement of voluntary measures and helps shape regional and international discussions surrounding best practices to reduce the acoustic footprint of commercial shipping.