The right whale mandatory ship reporting system: a retrospective

Area of Science:

• Marine conservation biology
• Maritime safety
• Environmental management

Background:

• Vessel collisions pose a significant threat to the endangered North Atlantic right whale (Eubalaena glacialis).
• Mandatory Ship Reporting (MSR) systems were established to enhance mariner awareness and mitigate ship-strike risks in critical right whale habitats.
• This program represents one of the earliest formal efforts to address this conservation challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze long-term shipping operational data from MSR systems in right whale habitats.
• To assess the effectiveness of MSR systems in promoting mariner awareness and potentially reducing collision risks.
• To identify trends in vessel traffic and speed within key North Atlantic right whale areas.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of 26,772 incoming MSR messages from July 1999 to December 2013.
• Examination of self-reported vessel speeds and reporting compliance rates.
• Correlation of shipping data with external factors such as speed restrictions and economic conditions.

Main Results:

• High compliance rates with MSR requirements were observed throughout the study period.
• A general decrease in vessel speeds was noted, particularly after the implementation of speed restrictions in 2009.
• Declines in ship traffic were observed, especially in the northern MSR system, attributed to economic factors and changes in shipping logistics.

Conclusions:

• MSR systems provide valuable long-term data on shipping activities in sensitive marine environments.
• Observed reductions in vessel traffic and speed suggest a potential decrease in collision risk for North Atlantic right whales.
• Changes in maritime transportation patterns, influenced by economic and industry shifts, have implications for marine species protection and underwater noise reduction.