Wild Fin Whale Ship Strike Prevention

Fin whales, the second-largest animal on Earth, face deadly collisions with commercial ships in critical feeding and migration corridors worldwide.

Key Facts

Fin whales reach 27 meters in length and 70 tonnes - second only to blue whales
Ship strikes are a leading cause of non-natural fin whale mortality globally
The species was severely depleted by commercial whaling and is still recovering
Fin whales often feed at the surface where they are vulnerable to fast ships
Speed reduction to 10 knots or less in critical habitat reduces strike risk by 80%
Acoustic detection systems and real-time whale alert apps help mariners avoid whales
The Mediterranean Sea has high ship traffic overlapping critical fin whale habitat
The IWC and IMO have implemented routing measures in some high-risk areas

Welfare Considerations

Ship strikes cause catastrophic traumatic injuries - propeller lacerations, blunt force trauma, and internal hemorrhage. Death may not be immediate, with severely injured whales surviving for days with massive wounds before dying from blood loss or infection. Whales that survive strikes with propeller wounds carry deep scarring that may affect mobility and feeding efficiency for life. The second-largest animal on Earth deserves protection from what amounts to industrial accident - achievable through speed reduction and route planning.

What You Can Do

Support Whale Alert and similar apps that notify mariners of whale locations
Advocate for mandatory ship speed reductions in critical whale habitat areas
Support IMO routing measures that reduce overlap between ships and whale feeding grounds
Learn about the Protecting Blue Whales and Blue Skies program in California
Donate to whale strike research and prevention programs