BC Ferries targets 50% cut in underwater noise for Southern Resident orcas by 2036
A new conservation agreement with Fisheries and Oceans Canada and Transport Canada sets out how the ferry operator plans to reduce noise and collision risk.
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BC Ferries wants to cut the underwater noise its vessels produce in Southern Resident orca habitat by 50 per cent by 2036, against a 2019 baseline. The target is part of a new conservation agreement with the Government of Canada, signed with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada and Transport Canada. The agreement also covers reducing the risk of ferries hitting whales and limiting other disturbances from ferry operations.
BC Ferries plans to get there through replacement vessels, modifications to existing ferries, and changes to maintenance and operating practices. Its future largest ships, the Summit Class vessels, will run major routes linking Metro Vancouver with Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast. The Summit Class uses azimuth propulsors and smaller diesel engines, which significantly reduce underwater radiated noise. The company is also adopting more battery-electric vessels, which are generally quieter than combustion-engine ships.
DFO identifies noise disturbance as a threat to Southern Resident orcas because it interferes with feeding, resting and social interactions. Under the agreement, BC Ferries must develop and maintain an underwater noise management plan that sets out how starting noise levels will be measured, the timelines, and how implementation will be tracked. Transport Canada will provide research and technical advice on measuring noise and making vessels quieter, while DFO will advise on how noise and collisions affect at-risk whales.
Brian Anderson, interim president and CEO of BC Ferries, said in a statement: "BC Ferries has a responsibility to connect customers and coastal communities while protecting the marine environment we all value." He added: "We have taken meaningful steps to reduce the impact of our operations on marine mammals and this agreement builds on that work."
It also does not say how the 50 per cent reduction will be calculated, and it has no response from environmental groups or Indigenous governments.
The facts
What is the underwater noise reduction target for BC Ferries?
BC Ferries aims to cut the underwater noise its vessels produce in Southern Resident orca habitat by 50 per cent by 2036, measured against a 2019 baseline.
Which federal departments signed the conservation agreement with BC Ferries?
The conservation agreement was signed with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada and Transport
