What is the unseen wave of death silently endangering the ocean’s most magnificent creatures? Ship strikes have become a drastic threat to the marine life of Sri Lanka. As a strategically located hub in the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka is a key point for global shipping routes, including the Asia-Europe route, the Middle East to Southeast Asia route, and the Africa to East Asia route. These routes incorporate the ports of Colombo and Hambantota, making Sri Lanka’s waters a bustling maritime zone.
Devastating impact
The impact on marine species is devastating, particularly for blue whales found off the Southern coast, which are the primary species affected. Other species, such as Bryde’s whales, dolphins, sea turtles, and various sea creatures, are also at risk. Ship strikes (collisions between vessels and marine animals) cause severe injuries, fatalities, and disruptions to marine ecosystems in several ways. The blunt force trauma from these collisions often results in fractures, internal bleeding, and organ damage, leading to death.
Additionally, fast-moving boats with propellers can cause deep cuts and amputations, leaving marine animals severely injured and suffering for prolonged periods. Furthermore, the intense noise generated by fast ships disorients marine creatures, exacerbating the problem.
Ship strikes brutally disrupt marine ecosystems, leading to the loss of keystone species, especially blue whales, which play a vital role in nutrient cycling. Repeated ship strikes and frequent vessel traffic can also alter the behaviour of marine animals, causing declines in populations and changes in migration routes and feeding grounds.
The tourism industry in Sri Lanka is also affected. Declines in blue whale populations due to ship strikes could diminish whale sightings, potentially reducing tourist numbers in whale-watching tourism. This, in turn, drastically affects local communities that rely on tourism revenue.
Increased risk
The overlap of major shipping lanes near Sri Lanka, especially South of the island, increases the risk of ship strikes. Slow-moving whales often surface to breathe in these high-traffic zones, where massive cargo ships, oil tankers, and fishing vessels navigate. High-speed vessels increase collision risks with marine animals like whales, as they have less ability to stop quickly if a whale is in their path, leading to greater impact force. A global study published in 2024 estimated that thousands of whales are injured and killed each year after being struck by ships.
Solutions
To address this growing concern, several solutions can be implemented. Re-routing shipping lanes away from critical marine habitats and enforcing slower vessel speeds in areas of high marine life activity are essential steps. Additionally, improving detection and monitoring systems in real-time with advanced technology, such as radar systems, acoustic detection, and underwater drones, can help avoid ship strikes.
Protecting Sri Lanka’s marine biodiversity is crucial not only for preserving its unique ecological heritage but also for sustaining the livelihoods of coastal communities and maintaining global environmental balance. Collaborative action, encouraging partnerships between government agencies, local communities, and international organisations, can lead to innovative conservation efforts.
As Michael J. Moore reminds us, true progress lies in harmonising economic pursuits with the delicate rhythms of our oceans, ensuring that every gain is measured by the health of our marine future.
(The author is a volunteer writer of The Pearl Protectors)
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The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect those of this publication