Protecting Blue Whales and Blue Skies
Posted by Sean Hastings | California, United States
Vision: Sustainable ocean commerce, clean air, safer whales and a quieter ocean
Shipping is the most economical way to move goods, however, its presence comes at a cost to the health of the ocean, atmosphere, and us! Large ships strike endangered whales, hampering population recovery. Large ships are responsible for substantial amounts of worldwide emissions of black carbon, nitrogen oxides (NOx), particulate matter, sulfur, air toxics, greenhouse gases, and substances that deplete ozone in the upper atmosphere. Large ships also emit relatively loud, low-frequency underwater noise, mainly caused by propeller cavitation, which has exponentially increased ocean noise over the past 60 years.
These problems are magnified in southern California where the co-ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach form the third largest port complex in the world, neighbor the 2nd most populous location in the US, and serve as critical habitat for a variety of cetacean species.
The solutions to these problems are seemingly simple and straightforward – slow ships down, burn cleaner fuel, separate ships and whales in time and space. Implementing and scaling these solutions is challenging and complex with current data, analytics and technology. We need experts in ocean noise, whales, transportation logistics, air quality, technology, and resource management to guide a comprehensive strategy to address shipping impacts in Southern California and wherever ships, whales and people intersect.
Good writing Sean, and accurate to your points. Problem is no one in the masses “cares” or even understands the importance, so education is critical and; yes, couldn’t agree more – “new” technology is critical as the old is “old” and “worn out” and, doesn’t provide for a critical, higher resolution knowledge base, to grow research capabilities and thus, a better knowledge base to ultimately create action resulting in “improvements”. There is an answer to most of what you are writing about, but unfortunately the funding base does not support the creation of such technologies, as it is not part of the “machine” (government, government entities, Universities, “paper smarts”, etc.) so their process is very slow, unfortunately. But, there is something going on though, FAR beyond what any other entities in the world are doing (but they are all very interested in getting their hands on it though) New technology with known applied physics and electronics that go far beyond, anything used by any of them, today. These are the guys: http://www.whaleresearchinstitute.org Feel free to share the site address.
Sean, i forgot. Look at the “Golden Gate Whale Guard” It will work in The Santa Barbara Channel as well as, basically, anywhere.