WhaleReport Alert System (WRAS)

Whale presence information is obtained from real-time observations, sent in by trusted observers using the BC Cetacean Sightings Network’s existing WhaleReport app. Access to the WRAS is only granted to the operators of ships, tugs, and ferries and is not available for public use.

There are two ways in which ship crew are alerted to the presence of whales in their vicinity:

1) Pilots and shipmasters with the WRAS app on their mobile devices receive a text message alert when they are within 10 nautical miles of a reported whale location. The alert message invites them to open a map showing both their location and the location of the whale sighting. The alert expires and disappears from the map after a preset time, depending on the species sighted.

2) Vessel operations centers can log into a desktop version of the map and relay whale reports to ships in their fleet as they deem appropriate. This desktop interface is of particular use in areas where cellphone coverage is limited or in situations where workload or company policy prevents mariners from using mobile devices.

There is an urgent need to protect British Columbia’s vulnerable cetacean (whale, dolphin, and porpoise) populations. Impacted by anthropogenic threats, including ship strikes, vessel noise, and disturbance, 12 of the 23 species of cetaceans found in B.C. are currently listed as “At Risk” under Canada’s Species at Risk Act.

Cetaceans can be struck and fatally injured by ships. Studies have demonstrated that the probability of striking cetaceans increases with ship speed. Ships traveling below 10 knots have a low risk of striking and fatally injuring a cetacean, whereas travelling at greater than 17.5 knots greatly increases that risk. Reducing speed in areas commonly used by cetaceans allows more time for the animal to avoid the oncoming vessel and/or the vessel to adjust its course. For example, speed restrictions in the eastern U.S. that require vessels greater than 65 meters in length to travel at speeds of 10 knots or less in areas frequented by endangered North Atlantic right whales have decreased strike-related mortality of this species by 80-90%.

Cetacean populations are also vulnerable to general disturbance by vessels. The presence of vessels may disturb and alter activities essential to cetacean survival, such as foraging, diving, resting, avoiding predators, communicating, socializing, mating and nursing calves. Interrupting these activities negatively affects individuals. In small populations (e.g. southern resident killer whales), these impacts on individuals can have population-level effects. To reduce disturbance, vessels should keep a distance of at least 200 meters; greater distances are even more beneficial.

Vessel noise can increase a whale’s stress level, cause it to move away from or avoid entering an area, and mask crucial echolocation and vocalizations. Vessel noise can generally be decreased by operating below cavitation inception speed and avoiding rapid acceleration, as well as rerouting when in the immediate vicinity of cetaceans and known sensitive marine areas.

The importance of reducing vessel-associated impacts is highlighted in the SARA Recovery Strategies and Management Plans for all 12 of listed cetacean species. Increasing mariners’ awareness of whale presence will allow them to mitigate the impact of their vessels by slowing down or rerouting in the vicinity of these vulnerable animals.

How commercial Mariners (marine pilots, shipmasters, and operations centre staff) can get involved:

If you belong to a professional marine organization and are a pilot or member of the bridge crew of a ship, please contact the WRAS Project Manager at [email protected] to request access to the WhaleReport Alert System. Within two business days, the Project Manager will assess and validate your request for access. Once your request is validated, you will receive instructions on how to download and use WRAS. For access to the desktop interface, please contact the WRAS Project Manager.