Online tutorial created to help protect whales
B.C. Ferries, Ocean Wise and the Vancouver Port Authority have created an online tutorial to help protect whales.
The tutorial, called Whales in our Waters, is aimed at helping educate mariners about the local species and how to reduce interactions between ships and whales.
Regional mariners, particularly those operating large vessels such as ferries, cargo ships or tug boats, are being asked to complete the tutorial before the summer season, when many whale species return to B.C. waters to feed.
The tutorial is also available to anyone on the Port of Vancouver website. Those who wish to register for the course can do so there.
The course covers a range of topics, including the need to protect local whale species, tips for identifying and reporting them, and best practices to implement when navigating ships in their presence, according to a news release from the Port of Vancouver and B.C. Ferries.
B.C. Ferries and Washington State Ferries began integrating the tutorial into their internal crew training programs earlier this year.
Capt. Jan Brockhausen, marine superintendent for B.C. Ferries, said mariners have a responsibility to protect marine wildlife.
“Our presence in the great oceans need not impact any species’ ability to survive and it’s on all of us to ensure future generations continue to be wowed by these great mammals.
“Our hope is that mariners find value in this tutorial, and make good use of what they learn to support the marine ecosystem, which is so important to us all,” Brockhausen said, in a statement.
The tutorial includes information on mariners’ legal obligations when encountering marine mammals and the benefits of reporting whale sightings which aids in future recovery and management plans for species at risk.
At particular risk is the southern resident killer whale population, which is down to a population of just 74 in three pods.