Ocean Sentry
Deadly Collisions Between Ships and Whales Have Sharply Increased
Conservation groups filed a legal petition today seeking a mandatory speed limit for large ships traveling through California’s marine sanctuaries. In recent years there has been a dramatic rise in whale deaths attributable to collisions with vessels. Ship strikes are now one of the leading threats to whales migrating through California’s waters. Today’s petition, from the Center for Biological Diversity, Environmental Defense Center, Pacific Environment and Friends of the Earth, seeks a 10-knots-per-hour limit for ships in marine sanctuaries.
“Our marine sanctuaries should be a safe harbor for marine life, but instead whales in California are at constant risk of being run over by big ships,” said Miyoko Sakashita, oceans director at the Center for Biological Diversity. “Mandatory speed limits for ships traveling through our marine sanctuaries will save whales and clean our air.” ..,
Source: Center for Biological Diversity
