Critics challenge B.C. ocean noise reduction plan

Conservationists critique Canada's new Ocean Noise Strategy for lacking necessary actions.

Plan fails to effectively reduce ocean noise impacting B.C. killer whales

Conservationists warn that the increasing noise in the Salish Sea threatens the recovery of Southern Resident killer whales. The World Wildlife Fund Canada highlights that human activities contribute to a growing problem of underwater noise, labeled as "acoustic smog". A recent draft Ocean Noise Strategy presented by the Canadian government was met with criticism for not implementing concrete measures to reduce noise. While the strategy proposes several recommendations, it lacks clear regulations and timelines for action. A study revealed that higher noise levels hinder the killer whales' ability to find food, decreasing their foraging success significantly as ambient sound rises.

The government’s Ocean Noise Strategy has stirred concern among environmentalists who argue the proposed measures might not do enough to protect vulnerable marine ecosystems. As marine traffic increases on Canada’s coasts, the risks to wildlife, particularly critically endangered species like the Southern Resident killer whale, intensify. This situation emphasizes the need for stricter regulations that treat underwater noise as a pollutant. Without significant action, the impact on marine life could escalate, affecting not just killer whales but the entire ecosystem they inhabit.

Highlights

Stricter noise regulations are essential for the recovery of marine life in the Salish Sea.