July, 28, 2005
Sanctuary Advisory Council Approves
Whale Avoidance Policy
After working on issues to address a growing concern regarding the increased occurrence of collisions between vessels and humpback whales in recent years, the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council (SAC) has recently voted in support of a whale avoidance policy that was submitted by Hawaii Superferry. The company plans to begin operating an inter-island ferry throughout Hawaii in early 2006. Although the council continues to have concerns with whale-vessel collisions, the members felt that the policy submitted by Hawaii Superferry addressed the minimum requirements for whale avoidance that they determined to be appropriate.
At the SAC’s 40th meeting held in May, the council voted to accept the company’s whale avoidance policy. The vote came after the council passed a resolution during the group’s previous meeting outlining its recommendations for the ferry’s procedures to avoid any interactions with humpback whales as the ship transited through Hawaiian waters.
The council members recognized that no policy would guarantee that a vessel will not interact directly with a whale, however they felt that these measures represent the best that can be done to avoid whales with the current available technology.
For more details, see these related pdf documents:
Avoidance Policy Resolution
Avoidance Policy Press Release
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