Chile installs modern sonobuoy system to prevent ships from striking whales
It is the only technology of its type in South America and was installed in the Gulf of Corcovado, an area in which the largest number of blue whales in the entire southern hemisphere gather. The system detects the presence of cetaceans and warns ships of their presence, so that they reduce their speed and therefore the risk of collision.
Chile took a significant step in the protection and care of whales today by installing the first sonobuoy system in South America, which alerts boats to the presence of cetaceans. The government is thus fulfilling its commitment to be the first ecological government in the history of Chile.
This is very important news, as the technology will be installed in the vicinity of the Tic Toc Marine Park in the Gulf of Corcovado, Los Lagos Region. It is a very important feeding and breeding ground for blue whales, and an estimated 10% of the world population is present in the area.
In addition to blue whales, a significant number of humpback and sei whales can be observed in the area, as well as Chilean dolphins. There are also marine otters, sea lions and colonies of sea birds such as penguins, cormorants and shearwaters.
According to data from the National Fisheries Service (SERNAPESCA), the beaching of whales increased by 85% between 2020 and 2021. Collision is the second most common reason for beaching, after unknown causes.
The project, called The Blue Boat Initiative (BBI), was carried out jointly between the Environment Ministry and the Meri Foundation. It consists of installing a network of intelligent sonobuoys that detect the presence of whales in real time through their vocalizations and warns boats of their presence, so that they reduce their speed and therefore the risk of collision.
Sensors for temperature, pH, salinity, nutrients, chlorophyll (through a fluorimeter) and dissolved oxygen will also be installed on the buoys, to record variations and serve as climate change indicators in the ocean.
Each buoy also contains a network of oceanographic sensors. The oceanographic data and underwater sounds collected will be available to the scientific community and authorities.
It is hoped that coverage will then be gradually extended to the rest of the country. The project received an US$8 million investment and aims to be replicable at the regional level in order to protect whales on their migratory routes throughout the Pacific Ocean.
Impact
The Blue Boat Initiative (BBI) aims to conserve and place value on the oceans and their ecosystem services, in order to promote decisions and public policies on climate change mitigation being made based on scientific evidence.
The BBI seeks to influence two specific areas:
- Reduce ship collisions with whales as a result of maritime traffic, the main threat to these cetaceans.
- Place value on marine ecosystem services, specifically whales, as a fundamental tool for public environmental and conservation policy.
Maritime traffic and beaching
Since 2008, the hunting of cetaceans has been prohibited in Chile, and they have been declared a national monument.
Maritime traffic is one of the main threats to marine mammals, due to collisions and the underwater noise they generate. Noise can cause hearing damage and loss of communication probability.
According to SERNAPESCA data, a total of 37 beachings were recorded throughout Chile between 2020 and 2021 (24 in 2021 and 13 in 2020).
Of this total, 8 were due to possible collision, and 16 were due to unknown reasons.