{"id":22348,"date":"2026-04-02T14:31:18","date_gmt":"2026-04-02T12:31:18","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/localhost:8000\/bonnes-pratiques\/vancouver-canada-a-programme-to-protect-whales-and-the-ecosystem\/"},"modified":"2026-09-12T13:44:36","modified_gmt":"2026-09-12T11:44:36","slug":"vancouver-canada-a-programme-to-protect-whales-and-the-ecosystem","status":"publish","type":"bonnes-pratiques","link":"https:\/\/aivp.org\/en\/best-practices\/vancouver-canada-a-programme-to-protect-whales-and-the-ecosystem\/","title":{"rendered":"Vancouver (Canada): a programme to protect whales and the ecosystem"},"content":{"rendered":"

The <\/span>ECHO program,<\/span><\/a><\/span> 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 <\/span>ECHO Program<\/span><\/a><\/span> 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. <\/span><\/p>\n

As part of the programme, numerous documents were also produced to raise awareness among seafarers about the effects that their vessels can have on these animals: “Mariner’s Guide to Whales, Dolphins, Porpoises of Western Canada”, the tutorial “Whales in our Waters”, annual reports and scientific articles. An app was created – the WhaleReport Alert System – to alert the operators of vessels directly to the presence of whales in the vicinity and encourage them to reduce physical or acoustic disturbances by cutting their speed or altering course. The port has also put in place a range of measures to protect the very rich ecosystem. The areas over which it has jurisdiction are home to a wide variety of aquatic and terrestrial species, including fish, animals, small plants, etc. To protect and improve them more effectively, the port conducts environmental assessments for new projects, draws up inventories and management plans, including one designed to prevent the introduction of invasive species, produces ground use plans that can lead to the creation of nature reserves, etc.<\/span><\/p>\n

The ECHO Program has involved collaboration with scientists, shipping industries, conservation groups, First Nations, and government agencies to focus its efforts and establish objectives. Projects within the ECHO Program encompass short-term initiatives, scientific studies, and educational efforts. <\/span><\/p>\n

Additional information<\/span><\/p>\n

Port of Vancouver<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Port of Vancouver – Enhancing Cetacean Habitat and Observation (ECHO) Program<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

World Ports Sustainability program – Vancouver Fraser port authority – The ECHO Program<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

2016 Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference – The Enhancing Cetacean Habitat and Observation (ECHO) Program: collaborating to manage potential cumulative threats to at-risk whales from commercial vessels<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Port of Vancouver – Maintaining healthy ecosystems throughout our jurisdiction<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Port of Vancouver – Environmental protection at the Port of Vancouver<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

ECHO 2019 program presentation (pdf)<\/a><\/p>\n

Annual Report 2022 – ECHO program (pdf)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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. 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