Green Marine well represented by members actively involved in VFPA’s ECHO Program

The maritime industry continues to demonstrate strong participation in the voluntary ECHO Program’s underwater noise reduction program spearheaded by the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority and related initiatives to protect at-risk whales.

Off the southern coast of Vancouver Island, 98% of tugs are moving away from an important area to southern resident killer whales as part of the Strait of Juan de Fuca route alteration. Meanwhile in Haro Strait - Boundary Pass and at Swiftsure Bank, large commercial ship operators are slowing down at rates of 87% and 84% respectively, helping to reduce threats to whales, such as underwater noise and the risk of a ship collision. 

More than 4,400 ship transits have voluntarily slowed down or moved away so far this year to help protect at-risk whales. These measures have effectively reduced underwater noise in key areas by half. It has lowered the risk of a collision by nearly one-third.

Upwards of 70 marine transportation organizations are helping to create quieter and safer waters for at-risk whales, including many Green Marine participants and association members. The program also has Indigenous advisors, marine mammal observers and both the Canadian Coast Guard and U.S. Coast Guard to communicate the ECHO Program’s ecological advantages.