[Animals] Mussels: Larger vessels will adjust their navigation to protect the whales

[FNX Magokiler]

The Maritime Government of Antofagasta, the Municipality of Mejillones, the Association of Industrialists of Mejillones and the Marine Fauna and Whale Watching Research Center (Cifamac) signed an unprecedented "Voluntary Code of Navigation for Larger Vessels to Avoid Collisions with Whales in the Peninsula and Bahía de Mejillones",

The initiative -a pioneer of its kind- creates a new maritime route and forces ships to adjust their navigation to avoid collisions with cetaceans, which "are one of the main causes of death for whales throughout the world," explained Ana García. , researcher and co-founder of the NGO Cifamac.

"Since the Bahía de Mejillones is an area that has nine port terminals, it was very important to establish a maritime route that would protect the whales that have their habitat in this area," the expert emphasized.

In January 2021, a working group was set up with a view to regulating maritime operations, which included the participation of the Municipality of Mejillones, Cifamac, the companies Puerto Angamos and Enaex, the Captaincy of the Port of Mejillones and various shipping agencies.

The dialogues followed the guidelines set forth by the Great Whale Conservancy, a non-profit organization dedicated to the study and promotion of practices that maximize the protection of cetaceans through safe navigation maneuvers. The work was recorded for a documentary that will be exhibited internationally.

 

 

"This global milestone represents the culmination of an unprecedented agreement at the international level, which reflects the commitment of the public and private sectors to preserve the biodiversity of the Mejillones Bay. We hope that this type of initiative can be replicated in other coastal areas of Chile" highlighted the mayor Marcelino Carvajal.

WHAT DOES IT CONSIST OF

The captain of the Port of Mejillones, Marcelo González, explained that based on what was discussed between the different actors "marine traffic separation schemes were created; that is, an entry and exit channel that must be indicated on the nautical chart, so that all ship captains know where to enter and exit the Bay of Mejillones".

"In addition, as part of the collaborative work and in a previous phase, we issued a recommendation to reduce the navigation speed from 14 to 8 knots. This speed reduction allows cetaceans to have the ability to react so as not to be impacted," González said. .

The general manager of Puerto Angamos, José Sáenz, pointed out that the company is "very proud to be part of this pioneering initiative in the world."

"From now on, when it comes to protecting whales, this agreement will be remembered as a collaborative signal from the public and private spheres, both for environmental protection and for safer navigation," added the executive, who indicated that "The efforts in navigation and time that this new route implies are fully compensated by the important achievement of protection and preservation that is being achieved."

 

https://www.cooperativa.cl/noticias/pais/region-de-antofagasta/mejillones-embarcaciones-mayores-ajustaran-su-navegacion-para-proteger/2022-10-11/131430.html