Vancouver (Canada): a programme to protect whales and the ecosystem

The ECHO program, which stands for “Enhancing Cetacean Habitat and Observation”, was created in 2014 to mitigate the impact of maritime transport on the different species of endangered whales found in the waters off southern British Columbia. To that end, the ECHO programme measured noise levels emitted by over 10,000 vessels in the Salish Sea. The ECHO Program focuses on marine mammals in British Columbia, particularly whales, porpoises, and dolphins (cetaceans), within the context of the region's active international trade and productive coastal ecosystem. Fisheries and Oceans Canada has identified threats to at-risk whale species, including underwater noise, ship collisions, contaminants, and prey availability. As commercial vessel activity, including in critical habitats, is projected to increase, the Port of Vancouver initiated the ECHO Program to ensure responsible and sustainable operations that protect the environment. The ECHO Program, led by the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, aims to comprehend and manage the impact of shipping activities on at-risk whales on the southern coast of British Columbia. Its ultimate objective is to develop measures that can tangibly decrease potential threats to whales arising from shipping activities. The program aligns with the port authority's environmental initiatives to safeguard and reduce environmental impacts. The announcement and traction this project had over 5,000 boats voluntarily reducing their speed or making detours to reduce underwater noise in the whales’ feeding areas. The Administration of the Port of Vancouver brought together a host of different partners and advisors to implement the ECHO programme projects.