The Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation joins ifaw (International Fund for Animal Welfare) in its Blue Speeds campaign to protect marine animals and the environment
European waters are at a critical point due to the high volume of commercial ships passing through that are creating excessive noise, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and are fatally colliding with whales.
The Mediterranean Sea alone sees around 200,000 ships transit through annually, creating underwater noise that disrupts and threatens marine life putting their survival at risk. However, a simple and effective solution to this issue has been identified—reducing the speed of merchant ships.
Depending on ship type, just a 10% reduction in current average shipping speeds would decrease underwater noise by about 40%, the risk of collisions with whales (‘ship strikes’) by approximately 50%, and greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) by about 13%.
IFAW launched the Blue Speeds campaign in response to this challenge and has now secured a sizeable grant of €300,000 from the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation.
"The seas have been becoming increasingly congested to the point that under the waves—it’s a loud and often perilous place. Marine life and the wider environment already face so many issues—we must seize the simple wins that are available to us," said Aurore Morin, Blue Speeds Project Manager for IFAW. "The generosity of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation will really put the wind in our sails and propel this work forward."
"We need to urgently step up action to protect whales and their habitats, for their own value but also for the value that they provide to humanity. For example, the role of whales in terms of carbon sequestration has recently been put forward, with studies showing that a whale could sequester up to 33 tons of CO2 over its lifetime. A relatively small effort to reduce ship speeds would have substantial positive impact on whales, and would also decrease greenhouse gas emissions. We are therefore delighted to support the Blue Speeds campaign,” said Olivier Wenden, Vice-President and CEO, Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation.
About 33 species of whales, dolphins, and porpoises call European waters home, including deep-diving sperm whales and the second largest animal on Earth —the fin whale —both of which are vulnerable to ship strikes. Minke, humpback, and killer whales, and both coastal and oceanic species of dolphin would benefit from the reduction in underwater noise pollution and collision risk because of Blue Speeds.
In addition to the marine species and habitats that will benefit from reduced underwater noise and ship strike risk, mariners will also benefit from increased safety at sea through lower strike risk. Lowering GHG emissions from the shipping sector will also contribute to wider global climate goals and improve air quality for human health.
This grant will support IFAW’s efforts to make the benefits of the Blue Speeds campaign a reality—reducing whale fatalities associated with ships collisions, underwater noise, GHG emissions, and fuel consumption. A study also found that the socioeconomic benefits for reduced ship speeds in Europe would be in the region of EUR€ 3.4-4.5 billion.
Take action and sign the petition, joining the existing 50,000+ supporters asking the EU to make the ocean quieter and safer for whales here.
Notes to editors
- €300,000 grant from the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, which will run until 2026, and the finance agreement was signed in January 2023.
- Many of Europe’s busiest shipping lanes overlap directly with areas where whales are feeding, giving birth, nursing their young or travelling.
- Both the number of commercial ships and the speeds at which they can travel are increasing dramatically in our waters.
- Ships moving at high speeds create high levels of underwater noise and put whales at high risk of collision, causing unnecessary stress, injury, and death.
- The reduction of speed to reduce underwater noise is especially effective for vessels equipped with fixed pitch propellers which is the most common type of propeller for the majority of the world’s fleet.
- Almost half of all ship categories are already sailing at Blue Speeds, in Europe (e.g., small, and middle-size container ships). Existing measures like the efficiency of global trade chains, the optimization of port logistics and the management of overcapacity are complementary to Blue Speeds and can further increase the economic benefits.
About IFAW (International Fund for Animal Welfare)
IFAW is a global non-profit helping animal and people thrive together. We are experts and everyday people, working across seas, oceans and in more than 40 countries around the world. We rescue, rehabilitate and release animals, and we restore and protect their natural habitats. The problems we’re up against are urgent and complicated. To solve them, we match fresh thinking with bold action. We partner with local communities, governments, non-governmental organizations and businesses. Together, we pioneer new and innovative ways to help all species flourish. See how at ifaw.org
"Mwanamfalme Albert II wa Monaco Foundation inajiunga na IFAW (Mfuko wa Kimataifa wa Ustawi wa Wanyama) katika kampeni yake ya ""Blue Speeds"" kulinda wanyama wa baharini na mazingira, maji ya Ulaya ni katika hatua muhimu kutokana na kiasi kikubwa cha meli za kibiashara zinazopita kupitia ambayo ni kuunda kelele kupita kiasi, uzalishaji wa gesi ya chafu (GHG) na ni fatally kugongana na nyangumi." Bahari ya Mediterania pekee inaona karibu meli 200,000 zinazopita kila mwaka, na kuunda kelele ya chini ya maji ambayo huzuia na kutishia maisha ya baharini, na kuhatarisha uhai wao. Hata hivyo, suluhisho rahisi na ufanisi kwa suala hili imekuwa kutambuliwa <unk> kupunguza kasi ya meli za kibiashara. Kulingana na aina ya meli, kupunguza kwa 10% tu kwa kasi ya sasa ya usafirishaji wa meli kungepunguza kelele ya chini ya maji kwa karibu 40%, hatari ya mgongano na nyangumi (mashambulio ya meli) kwa karibu 50%, na uzalishaji wa gesi za chafu (GHG) kwa karibu 13%. IFAW imezindua kampeni ya Blue Speeds ili kukabiliana na changamoto hii na sasa imepata ruzuku kubwa ya € 300,000 kutoka kwa Prince Albert II wa Monaco Foundation. "Bahari zimekuwa zikizidi kuwa na msongamano hadi hatua ya kwamba chini ya mawimbi - ni mahali penye kelele na mara nyingi hatari. "Uhai wa baharini na mazingira ya jumla tayari wanakabiliwa na masuala mengi sana - lazima tutekeleze ushindi rahisi ambao unapatikana kwetu, ""alisema Aurore Morin, Meneja wa Mradi wa Kasi ya Bluu kwa IFAW." "Ukarimu wa Prince Albert II wa Monaco Foundation kweli kuweka upepo katika matanga yetu na kuendesha kazi hii mbele. """ """Tunahitaji haraka kuongeza hatua za kulinda nyangumi na mazingira yao, kwa thamani yao wenyewe lakini pia kwa thamani wanayotoa kwa ubinadamu." Kwa mfano, jukumu la nyangumi katika kuhifadhi kaboni limetolewa hivi karibuni, na masomo yanaonyesha kwamba nyangumi anaweza kuhifadhi hadi tani 33 za CO2 katika maisha yake. Jitihada ndogo ya kupunguza kasi ya meli itakuwa na athari kubwa kwa nyangumi, na pia kupunguza uzalishaji wa gesi chafu. "Kwa hivyo tunafurahi kuunga mkono kampeni ya ""Blue Speeds,"" alisema Olivier Wenden, Makamu wa Rais na Mkurugenzi Mtendaji, Prince Albert II wa Monaco Foundation." Karibu spishi 33 za nyangumi, pomboo na pomboo huita maji ya Ulaya nyumbani, ikiwa ni pamoja na nyangumi wa sperm na mnyama wa pili kwa ukubwa duniani, nyangumi wa fin, wote wawili ni hatari kwa mashambulizi ya meli. Minke, humpback, na killer whale, na aina zote mbili za pwani na bahari ya pomboo, zingefaidika kutokana na kupunguzwa kwa uchafuzi wa kelele chini ya maji na hatari ya mgongano kwa sababu ya Blue Speeds. Kwa kuongezea spishi za baharini na makazi ambayo yatanufaika na kupunguza kelele ya chini ya maji na hatari ya kugonga meli, baharia pia watanufaika na usalama ulioongezeka baharini kupitia hatari ya kugonga chini. Kupunguza uzalishaji wa gesi za chafu kutoka sekta ya usafirishaji pia kuchangia zaidi ya malengo ya hali ya hewa ya kimataifa na kuboresha ubora wa hewa kwa afya ya binadamu. IFAW inatarajia kusaidia kampeni ya Blue Speeds kupunguza vifo vya nyangumi vinavyohusiana na mgongano wa meli, kelele ya chini ya maji, uzalishaji wa gesi za chafu na matumizi ya mafuta. Utafiti huo pia uligundua kuwa faida za kijamii na kiuchumi kwa kupunguza kasi ya meli huko Ulaya zingekuwa katika mkoa wa € 3.4 bilioni. "Tunaomba kwa wito wa EU ""kufanya bahari kuwa kimya na salama zaidi kwa nyangumi hapa.""" Mkataba wa kifedha wa € 300,000 kutoka kwa Prince Albert II wa Monaco Foundation, ambao utaendelea hadi 2026, ulisainiwa mnamo Januari 2023. - Wengi wa njia za usafirishaji zenye shughuli nyingi zaidi za Ulaya huingiliana moja kwa moja na maeneo ambapo nyangumi wanakula, kuzaa, kunyonyesha watoto wao au kusafiri. Idadi ya meli za kibiashara na kasi ambayo wanaweza kusafiri zinaongezeka sana katika maji yetu. - Meli zinazosafiri kwa mwendo wa kasi hutokeza kelele nyingi chini ya maji na kuwaweka nyangumi katika hatari kubwa ya kugongana, na kusababisha mkazo usio wa lazima, majeraha, na kifo. Kupunguza kasi ya kupunguza kelele chini ya maji ni hasa ufanisi kwa vyombo vifaa na propellers fasta pitch ambayo ni aina ya kawaida ya propeller kwa wengi wa meli ya dunia. - Karibu nusu ya makundi yote ya meli tayari kusafiri katika Blue Speeds, katika Ulaya (kwa mfano, ndogo, na kati ya ukubwa wa meli za mizigo). Hatua zilizopo kama vile ufanisi wa minyororo ya biashara ya kimataifa, uboreshaji wa usafirishaji wa bandari na usimamizi wa uwezo wa ziada ni ziada kwa kasi ya bluu na inaweza kuongeza faida za kiuchumi. IFAW (International Fund for Animal Welfare) ni shirika lisilo la faida linalofanya kazi kwa ajili ya wanyama na watu. Sisi ni wataalamu na watu wa kila siku, tunafanya kazi katika bahari, bahari na katika nchi zaidi ya 40 duniani kote. Tunaokoa, kurekebisha na kuachilia wanyama, na tunarudisha na kulinda mazingira yao ya asili. Matatizo tunayoyakabili ni ya haraka na magumu. Ili kuzisuluhisha, tunalinganisha mawazo mapya na vitendo vyenye ujasiri. Tunashirikiana na jamii za mitaa, serikali, mashirika yasiyo ya kiserikali na biashara. Pamoja, tunaanzisha njia mpya na za ubunifu za kusaidia spishi zote kusitawi. Angalia jinsi ya kufanya hivyo kwenye www.iFood.org