Enhancing Cetacean Habitat and Observation (ECHO) Program

Orla Robinson ECHO Program Manager North Shore Waterfront Liaison Committee September 8, 2016 Overview

• Background context • ECHO Program overview • Collaborative approach and partners • Project highlights • Next steps BACKGROUND CONTEXT: BC MARINE MAMMALS

BC cetacean ID and species at-risk status Photo:Erik Christensen Photo:DFO Photo:NOAA Photo:NOAA

Harbour Humpback Fin Sei Porpoise (Threatened) (Threatened) (Endangered) (Special Concern) Photo:NOAA Photo:NA Photo:BeamReach

Blue North Pacific Orca/killer (Endangered) Right whale whale (Endangered) (Endangered) Photo: Knight M. BACKGROUND CONTEXT: ENDANGERED WHALES IN OUR WATERS

Source: Orcalab Photo: JoanLopez BACKGROUND CONTEXT FOR ECHO PROGRAM

• DFO Species at Risk Act and designation of critical habitat Southern resident killer whale critical habitat in US and Canadian waters overlap international shipping lanes • DFO Recovery Strategies identify threats • Canada Marine Act mandate • Whale and vessel routes overlap • Predicted shipping and population growth • Regional cumulative issues require collaborative solutions ECHO PROGRAM

ECHO: Enhancing Cetacean Habitat and Observation What? A collaboration with marine transportation industries, conservation and environmental groups, First Nations, governments and scientists Why? To better understand and reduce the cumulative impacts of commercial vessel activities on at-risk whales throughout the southern coast of British Columbia

*Cetacean: order of whales,

dolphins and porpoises Photo: JoanLopez ECHO PROGRAM COLLABORATORS

Funding Contributors Advisory Working Group Acoustic Technical Committee Fraser River Pile and Dredge BC Ferries DFO Trans Mountain Chamber of Shipping of BC JASCO Applied Sciences Transport Canada Cruise Lines International NOAA Association (North West & Canada) Vancouver Fraser Port Oceans Networks Canada Authority DFO Robert Allan Naval Architects Significant In-kind First Nations individuals SMRU Consulting Contributors NOAA Transport Canada Fisheries and Oceans Pacific Pilotage Authority Canada (DFO) University of British Columbia Transport Canada JASCO Applied Sciences University of St. Andrews Vancouver Aquarium Oceans Networks Canada Vancouver Aquarium Vancouver Fraser Port Authority Vancouver Aquarium Washington State Ferries Washington State Ferries Project Collaborators Other Engagement WWF-Canada BC Coast Pilots Achieve Quieter Oceans (AQUO) BC Ferries Green Marine Federal Government Chamber of Shipping of BC Advisory Committee MEOPAR National Oceanic and Environment Canada Nanaimo Port Authority Atmospheric Administration DFO Ports of Seattle and Tacoma (NOAA) Transport Canada Scripps Institution of Oceanography Pacific Pilotage Authority Vancouver Fraser Port Authority Shipping Federation of Canada Prince Rupert Port Authority Seaspan ECHO PROGRAM RESEARCH CATEGORIES

Advancing research projects and initiatives focusing on the key threats to whales in this region with a view to informing mitigation solutions

Acoustic Disturbance

Physical Disturbance

Environmental Contaminants BeamReach BeamReach Photo: Project areas

Acoustic disturbance Physical disturbance Environmental contaminants UNDERWATER LISTENING STATION

Regional map showing Underwater Listening Station location UNDERWATER LISTENING STATION GOALS

• Engage vessel owner/operators • Develop comprehensive database • Inform potential incentive program • Trial mitigation options (hull cleaning) • Refine acoustic modelling • Establish ambient noise baseline • Presence of marine mammals Photo: Ocean Networks Canada Networks Ocean Photo: INFOGRAPHIC FOR MARINERS PROPOSED UNDERWATER NOISE CRITERIA FOR VFPA ECOACTION 2017

Quiet vessel notations Bureau Veritas – DNV-GL - SILENT E RINA - DOLPHIN Underwater radiated noise (URN)

Vessel technologies (modifications to reduce cavitation and improve wake Schneekluth duct Becker Mewis duct Propeller boss flow) cap fins

Marine carriers with the highest participation rates in our EcoAction Program are recognized with a Blue Circle Award, recognizing environmental stewardship. Project areas

Acoustic disturbance Physical disturbance Environmental contaminants PHYSICAL DISTURBANCE: WORK PLAN

Physical Disturbance Focus Areas • Large whale Mitigation distribution and • Whale sightings strike risk and notification assessment system • West coast mariners guide • Operational activity management options Project areas

Acoustic disturbance Physical disturbance Environmental contaminants ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINANTS: WORK PLAN

Environmental Contaminant Focus areas • Baseline sediment and mussel sampling

• Environmental testing during hull cleaning Mitigation • Review and consider development of or updates to best practices/standard operating procedures • Monitor trends and adapt practices POLLUTION TRACKER PROJECT ECHO PROGRAM NEXT STEPS

2016-2018: 2014-2017: Develop and trial 2017-onwards: Plan and execute potential incentive Implement, monitor research projects and threat reduction and report on to inform threat measures and set voluntary measures reduction targets Photo: OceanFutures Society RAISE YOUR HAND. Q&A.

Orla Robinson, ECHO Program Manager Vancouver Fraser Port Authority

[email protected] JoanLopez Photo: