The U.S. Commerce Department’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said the International Maritime Organization Safety of Navigation Subcommittee has approved amendments proposed by the United States for the Santa Barbara Channel, Los Angeles/Long Beach, and San Francisco traffic separation schemes aimed at reducing ship strikes of whales along the West Coast.
NOAA said the IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee plans to meet at the end of November, and the U.S. government is hopeful they will adopt the amendments.
The action follows an uptick in strikes of blue, fin, and humpback whales, the Associated Press said.
IMO to change ship traffic to protect whales
