Port of Vancouver expands whale-protection measuresPort of Vancouver expands whale-protection measures

ECHO stands for Enhancing Cetacean Habitat and Observation.

Underwater noise is one of the key threats to southern resident killer whales due to its potential to interfere with their ability to hunt, navigate and communicate.

Cruise line participation

As part of the ECHO Program’s 2022 measures, ship operators are encouraged to slow down or stay distanced while transiting through key areas of whale-critical habitat. Many cruise lines are among the participating organizations. 

Expanded to 80 nautical miles

This year, the program’s underwater noise reduction measures will cover a record-high distance of about 80 nautical miles of the Salish Sea, including at Swiftsure Bank, Haro Strait and Boundary Pass, and in the Strait of Juan de Fuca. These measures will run from approximately June to November, when southern resident killer whale presence is typically highest.

'Over the last six years, the ECHO Program has become internationally recognized for implementing one of the world’s largest, and most successful, voluntary efforts to reduce underwater noise from ships,' said the port's Duncan Wilson, VP environment and external affairs. 'We hope to serve as an example, globally, of how collaborative efforts can create quieter oceans for endangered whales.'

Swiftsure Bank trial

New in 2022, the ECHO Program will coordinate an expanded ship slowdown trial at Swiftsure Bank, a known foraging area for southern resident killer whales that overlaps with international shipping lanes. This year, the slowdown extends to the inbound shipping lane, the main entry point used by commercial ships to reach the port. This measure is in addition to Transport Canada’s Seasonal Slowdown Area outside of the shipping lanes, which also comes into effect today.

The Swiftsure Bank slowdown trial takes place within the treaty-protected Usual and Accustomed Fishing Area of the Makah Tribe and the maritime territory of the Pacheedaht First Nation, an area of significant cultural and spiritual value where harvested resources of Indigenous nations are located. The Makah Tribe and the Pacheedaht First Nation are key advisors to the ECHO Program in the development and implementation of safe ship slowdown practices in this important area. 

Significant noise reduction

The ECHO Program was launched in 2014. Since 2017, its underwater noise reduction initiatives in the Salish Sea have encouraged thousands of ship operators to slow down or stay distanced in southern resident killer whale critical habitat, reducing underwater sound intensity by up to 55% in key killer whale foraging areas.