THE WORLD Shipping Council has released the second edition of the WSC Whale Chart, a voyage planning aid designed to help the shipping industry protect whales.
The chart builds on the first edition, published in November 2023, to include additional features to help ship operators reduce the risk of vessel strikes and mitigate underwater noise.
It contains an overview of governmental conservation measures that apply to the merchant shipping fleet globally, intended to guide ship operators on how to navigate sensitive areas.
WSC said the first edition of the chart was welcomed for addressing “an important need” in the shipping industry.
“We are heartened by the warm reception of the WSC Whale Chart and the recognition that it fills a critical gap in information on whale conservation measures that have been put in place by governments across the world,” WSC CEO Joe Kramek said.
“The first edition has been widely used by mariners, governments, NGOs, and researchers, and we are grateful for the feedback we have received.
“The second edition builds on this foundation, adding new data and expanding its scope to enhance its usefulness.”
The main updates in the second edition include additional government measures, port authority measures and a focus on underwater noise.
The second edition of the WSC Whale Chart is available here.
