| dc.description.abstract | Ship strikes have been identified as a threat to the survival and recovery of whale species
populations. On Canada’s Pacific coast, ship strikes are noted as a potential threat to the recovery
of baleen whales, specifically gray, blue, fin, sei, North Pacific right whale and humpback
populations. Limited information on baleen species abundance and habitat has led to gaps in
knowledge concerning the extent to which ship strikes pose a threat to these species within
Canada’s Pacific waters. This has resulted in a lack of appropriate management measures that
consider the mitigation of ship strike risk.
As development in marine transportation industries on Canada’s Pacific coast progresses,
management of industries along with conservation objectives for whale species should be
mutually addressed. This paper will provide an integrated management approach to minimizing
ship strike risk within the context of Canada’s Pacific coast, taking into consideration the
existing opportunities and constraints. A review of experiences from other jurisdictions provide
guidance on how an operational framework could be developed. Introducing an integrated
management approach to mitigating ship strike risk will balance progress in marine
transportation industries with conservation responsibilities to whale species.
Although information is lacking to support a thorough understanding of the risk of ship
strikes on the Pacific coast, developing an IM approach will support information gathering and
foster a collaborative environment for stakeholders to discuss development in a precautionary
manner that can adapt as needed. | en_US |
