Quiet Sound’s Second Annual Voluntary Commercial Vessel Slowdown Kicks Off to Protect Migrating Endangered Southern Resident Killer Whales in Puget Sound

Oct 13, 2023 | Quiet Sound Updates

Quiet Sound’s Second Annual Voluntary Commercial Vessel Slowdown Kicks Off to Protect Migrating Endangered Southern Resident Killer Whales in Puget Sound

The initiative aims to support Southern Resident killer whale populations by reducing ambient underwater noise that negatively affects communication and hunting behaviors
The slowdown period began when the Southern Resident killer whales were detected in the area. It will end on January 12, 2024
New report showcases results of inaugural 2022-2023 Voluntary Commercial Shipping Slowdown trial reduced underwater noise intensity by almost half (~3db) in the Slowdown zone

SEATTLE – October 12, 2023 – Quiet Sound, a collaborative program from Washington Maritime Blue dedicated to fostering a more sustainable environment for Southern Resident killer whales (SRKW) through reduction in underwater noise pollution announces the official launch of its voluntary vessel slowdown season beginning today through early 2024.

The effort protects the remaining 74 Southern Resident killer whales in the Salish Sea. The start of the commercial vessel showdown was triggered as Southern Resident killer whales were reported in the waters off of Seattle on the morning of October 12th. The slowdown period remains in effect through January 12, 2024, key months for their migration.

Container vessels, vehicle carriers, and cruise ships are asked to voluntarily slow to 14.5 knots, while tankers and bulkers are asked to slow to 11 knots in an area 22 nautical miles long through Admiralty Inlet and north Puget Sound (see map).

“We know this reduction in large vessel speed translates to potentially life-saving noise mitigation for Southern Resident killer whales. Slower speeds curb noise in the same frequencies these endangered animals use to communicate and hunt,” said Rachel Aronson, Quiet Sound Program Director. “We learned last season that we picked the right time of year and right location for the slowdown. We appreciate our maritime partners for their eagerness to participate last season and hope for even greater participation this Slowdown season.”

The results of the 2022-2023 Voluntary Commercial Shipping Showdown trial show:

70% of 670 vessels passing through the slowdown area decreased their speed
53% of the transits achieved the proposed speed targets
Median broadband sound levels were reduced by 2.8 decibels, a 45% reduction in sound intensity
Southern Resident killer whales were present in the slowdown area for 36 days of the 80-day slowdown (45%)

“We appreciate Quiet Sound championing an effort that we all care about, and that we as shippers transiting through the Puget Sound can support and participate,” said Capt. Yuki Ebina from MOL (Americas) LLC, who operated shipping vessels through the Slowdown zone last season. “The ocean and its habitat is our collective responsibility.”

This 2023-2024 Slowdown will be monitored using a system of hydrophones, data from mariners, and whale reporting from Orca Network, with a participation goal of more than 80% this season.

“The existence and well-being of the Makah people have always been closely tied to our relationship with the natural environment, especially the ocean,” said Vice Chairman of the Makah Tribal Council Chad Bowechop. “The Makah Tribe is pleased to be on the Leadership Committee guiding these vessel slowdowns and looks forward to continued involvement with the Quiet Sound Program.”

Quiet Sound will host a briefing in December for press, elected officials, and executives of the organizations on the Quiet Sound Leadership Committee to release real time data of this year’s Slowdown.

Quiet Sound recently received the North American Marine Environmental Protection Agency (NAMEPA) Non-profit award for 2023 and NOAA’s 2023 Partner in the Spotlight Award for its work to protect the Southern Resident killer whales.

About Quiet Sound

Quiet Sound is a collaborative alliance that aims to reduce the impact of large commercial vessels on Southern Resident killer whales through voluntary measures. It is implementing noise-reduction initiatives, educational campaigns and monitoring programs in the Puget Sound, in coordination with Canadian and United States authorities. Quiet Sound is administered by Washington Maritime Blue, a strategic alliance to accelerate a sustainable and equitable blue economy. News and updates can be found on the Quiet Sound website: https://quietsound.org/.

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Winning Teams Announced for Competition to Detect Southern Resident Killer Whales and North Atlantic Right Whales from Moving Vessels

Jun 21, 2023 | Quiet Sound Updates

Photo by Marla Smith via Orca Network

Winning Teams Announced for Competition to Detect Southern Resident Killer Whales and North Atlantic Right Whales from Moving Vessels

SEATTLE, WA (June 20, 2023) – Quiet Sound, a collaborative program among government agencies, the shipping industry, the U.S. military, tribal groups, and the scientific community working to reduce noise and physical impacts to endangered Southern Resident killer whales from large commercial vessels, announces the winners of the Autonomous Detection of Marine Mammals challenge.

One pillar of the Quiet Sound program is to support a market for new developments in vessel quieting and whale sensing technologies. Quiet Sound had the opportunity to collaborate with the federal government on a technical challenge that will lead to the development of a whale sensing system for vessels underway, applicable for both crewed and autonomous vessels. This project and prizes were funded by the federal government. The recipients of this prize challenge demonstrated strong initiative, creativity, and drive to protect Southern Resident killer whales and North Atlantic right whales. Quiet Sound was excited to see the enthusiastic response to the challenge, as it showed positive engagement by the private sector in whale sensing.

Quiet Sound Program Director, Rachel Aronson, was the Lead Evaluator for the challenge. “Working with scientists from the Pacific and Atlantic coasts of the US to evaluate challengers from around the world has been incredibly rewarding. The collaboration between private sector innovators, academic researchers, and government agencies is critical to finding new solutions for protecting our marine ecosystems. I’m thrilled to see the initiative and creativity that everyone brought to the table, and I believe this challenge has planted the seeds for future public-private partnerships that will drive safer waters for Southern Resident killer whales and North Atlantic right whales. Maritime Blue is excited to provide the winners with business development support, increasing sustainability and diversity in the maritime sector.”

About the Winners

First Place: UnCruise Adventures Team
UnCruise Adventures is a small ship cruise line dedicated to sustainable adventures. The cruise line’s winning vessel-mounted design solution combined below-water acoustic sensors, above-water infrared sensors and a data collection system. The team included Dave Boyce, UnCruise Adventures Solutions Engineer, Joe Olson of Cetacean Research Technology and Dean Allen of Small PC.

UnCruise has whimsically named their new infrared camera SQD2. Image provided by Uncruise.

The new platform, including a FLIR M400 premium multi-sensor marine thermal camera, was recently installed on the Safari Quest, a 22-passenger vessel that sails in Coastal Washington and Alaska for UnCruise Adventures. Its first passenger sailing and live whale detection test with cruise passengers aboard began April 28th, 2023. Further sea trials will be conducted in Fall 2023.

2nd Place: Deep Voice, Sea to Shore Systems and Open Ocean Robotics Team
Deep Voice, Sea to Shore Systems and Open Ocean Robotics submitted a detailed solution to the challenge comprising four technological layers: shore based long baseline systems, shore based short baseline systems, autonomous surface vehicle mounted systems and drifter buoy mounted hydrophone array. The solution combined use of hydrophones and above water cameras for automated detection of whales, along with vocalizations detection software.

The novel portion of the solution was the integration of proven technologies from three
organizations that creates a flexible vessel strike warning system capable of achieving a very wide area coverage, 24 hours a day with greatly reduced labor and operational costs.

Diagram of second-place solution provided by Deep Voice Foundation

Deep Voice is a NGO that aims to ensure the welfare of marine mammal populations by utilizing AI tools, making them easily accessible for biologists and conservationists worldwide. The team background is diverse, and ranges from computer scientists and engineers to marine biologists. Currently, the NGO works on five different projects in different countries: Brazil, Costa-Rica, Colombia, Mozambique and Belize. Their current focus is to implement state-of-the-art automated detection and classification algorithms based on acoustic data annotations for the sake of conservation. Recently, they were accepted into the AI for Good Microsoft Accelerator, as one of the 14 chosen companies.

Special Student Commendation: Jay Desai, WhaleSense
The evaluators felt that WhaleSense deserved a special commendation, as the solver is a college student working solo. This proposal compared favorably with many proposals by well-resourced professional teams especially given the resources available to the solver. Evaluators were impressed with Jay’s creativity and ingenuity. Jay tested the IR camera on people (lacking actual whales) and built hydrophones from parts and tested them in a nearby waterfall (lacking ocean access). We believe Jay could have a promising career in marine mammal sensing, and wished to recognize this achievement with a special award.

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Quiet Sound Launches First Trial Large Vessel Slowdown to Help Protect Endangered Whales in Puget Sound

Oct 25, 2022 | Quiet Sound Updates

The slowdown trial is the first a voluntary effort of its kind in Puget Sound for large commercial vessels to reduce their speed and decrease underwater noise to protect the Southern Resident Killer Whales

Quiet Sound Launches First Trial Large Vessel Slowdown to Help Protect Endangered Whales in Puget Sound

SEATTLE, WA (October 24, 2022) – Quiet Sound, a collaborative program among government agencies, the shipping industry, the U.S. military, tribal groups, and the scientific community working to reduce noise and physical impacts to endangered Southern Resident killer whales from large commercial vessels, announces the launch of its first vessel slowdown trial, an initiative to address the impact of noise produced by large commercial vessels on the local Southern Resident Killer Whale population. The trial run takes place October 24 to December 22, 2022.

Every fall and winter the Southern Resident Killer Whales’ ability to navigate, communicate and hunt for salmon in Admiralty Inlet and north Puget Sound is threatened by interfering underwater noise pollution caused by passing vessels. The Quiet Sound slowdown trial encourages vessel operators to reduce their speed in designated transit areas by 30-50%, when safe and operationally feasible to do so, creating 20 nautical miles of quieter and protected whale habitat. Quiet Sound is providing commercial mariners and large vessels the necessary resources to join together in a voluntary effort to slow down in designated areas, reducing underwater noise pollution and protecting the 73 remaining Southern Resident killer whales in the Salish Sea.

“We want to continue to make the Puget Sound a place where Southern Resident killer whales thrive and safely return for years to come,” shared Rachel Aronson, Quiet Sound Program Director. “We have been overwhelmed by the support of the local maritime community and are eager to see the positive impact of this inclusive, collaborative program made possible by the reinforcement of the operators of vehicle carriers, cruise ships, and other large vessels motivated to protect a critical habitat for this endangered species. On average, 10-12 large commercial vessels move through this zone every day, and we’ve received commitments from the Puget Sound Pilots and major commercial shipping companies such as Maersk, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, and Nissan Motor Car Carrier that will participate in the program.”

In addition to reducing underwater noise pollution, the goals of the initiative include: providing an official proof-of-concept for a seasonal slowdown in Washington state, laying the groundwork for improving the conservation benefit of voluntary changes to vessel operations over time, developing effective communication with mariners, and collecting data on vessel sound levels when the whales are present in the Puget Sound.

Quiet Sound is recording whale presence data using the WhaleReport Alert System (WRAS) and reporting out to mariners in real time to inform them of slowdown areas. They are monitoring underwater noise levels with underwater microphones during and after the slowdown period to determine the effectiveness of the trial.

“The shipping industry is becoming more aware of the impacts on whales of shipping and undersea noise,” said Capt. Ivan Carlson of Puget Sound Pilots, “Part of the service that pilots provide is to ensure that the crews are aware of our local best practices and to verify whether ships are slowing their speed appropriately and practicing whale avoidance.”

Quiet Sound, steered by a coalition of federal, state, tribal, port, maritime industry, scientist, and conservation organizations, is funded by the Washington State Legislature, US Environmental Protection Agency, NOAA, the combined ports of Seattle, Tacoma, and the Northwest Seaport Alliance, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and the Bonneville Environmental Foundation. As the primary, collaborative initiative in Washington state to address the impacts of shipping noise on local whale populations, Quiet Sound received its initial funding and began organizing for projects like the slowdown in 2021.

“The launch of the voluntary program is a great example of what we can achieve when we work together to protect our Southern Resident Killer Whales,” says Washington State Governor Jay Inslee. “In 2018, I called together the Orca Task Force to identify actions needed to support a thriving and resilient population of Southern Resident orcas. The Task Force found that quieter waters play a key role in orca recovery. Today, I’m proud of the collaborative work that Quiet Sound coalition and maritime stakeholders are leading to allow Washington whales and the blue economy to thrive together.”

Quiet Sound encourages mariners to sign up for WRAS to receive text messages within ten nautical miles of a verified whale sighting. Members of professional marine organizations, as well as pilots or members of the bridge crew of a ship, are also encouraged to contact the WRAS Project Manager at WRAS@ocean.org to request access to the alert system. Members of the public can help commercial mariners avoid whales by reporting whale sightings through the Orca Network, the WhaleReport app (on Apple and Android) and the Whale Alert app (on Apple and Android). All information about the trial slowdown can be found in this fact sheet.

Quiet Sound gratefully acknowledges all the partners who are working to provide Washington mariners with real-time whale locations, including: Ocean Wise, Orca Network, Acartia, Conserve.io, and all the members of the public who report sightings.

Alongside industry partners and Washington State Governor Inslee, Quiet Sound will be reviewing and releasing initial data from the slowdown at an event on December 9, 10-11 am. Stay up to date on Quiet Sound initiatives, opportunities to support Quiet Sound, and other educational resources by signing up for their newsletter and following them on LinkedIn.

About Quiet Sound

Quiet Sound is a collaborative alliance that aims to reduce the impact of large commercial vessels on Southern Resident killer whales through voluntary measures. It is implementing noise-reduction initiatives, educational campaigns and monitoring programs in the Puget Sound, in coordination with Canadian and United States authorities. Quiet Sound is administered by Washington Maritime Blue, a strategic alliance to accelerate a sustainable and equitable blue economy. News and updates can be found on the Quiet Sound website: https://quietsound.org/.

Media Contact: Eric Schudiske (eric@s2spr.com)

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Quiet Sound Officially Launches Underwater Noise-Reduction Initiatives to Save Southern Resident Killer Whales

Feb 8, 2022 | All, Quiet Sound Updates

Quiet Sound Officially Launches Underwater Noise-Reduction Initiatives to Save Southern Resident Killer WhalesBringing together Washington’s maritime community to diminish noise impacts on endangered Southern Resident killer whales, Quiet Sound kicks off its first year of projects.

SEATTLE, WA (February 3, 2022) – Quiet Sound, a collaborative program working to reduce noise and physical impacts to endangered Southern Resident killer whales from large commercial vessels, announces the official launch of its initiatives and monitoring programs, with the first meeting of its Leadership Committee held on January 27.

Quiet Sound received its initial funding and began organizing for this official launch in 2021. Quiet Sound is the primary, collaborative initiative in Washington state addressing the impacts of noise on local whale populations. Their focus is on giving commercial mariners and large vessels the resources to join together in a voluntary effort to slow down, reducing underwater noise pollution and protecting the 73 Southern Resident killer whales in the Salish Sea.

“We are eager to quickly build momentum behind our noise-reduction initiatives and monitoring programs to create a win-win solution where ferries, cruise ships, large vessels, and others on the water can coexist with our resident whales and ensure the future of this endangered species,” said Rachel Aronson, Quiet Sound Program Director. “We have encouraging partnerships in the works touching every aspect of the maritime industry and collaborative programs we will continue to roll out throughout the year.”

Quiet Sound is working in partnership with the tribal governments, state and federal agencies, scientific researchers, nonprofits, and other maritime industry organizations to initiate an advanced whale alert system and vessel slow down initiative to protect one of the whale species’ most valuable assets: communication. Diminished underwater noise means improved orca communication, protecting their ability to hunt and mate – empowering the acutely endangered species to thrive.

“Southern Resident killer whales are a key indicator of the overall health of Puget Sound and an important part of the NWIFC member tribes’ cultures,” said Randy Lumper, Puget Sound Policy Analyst of the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission. “ We are excited to be part of the collaboration with Quiet Sound on this critical noise-reduction initiative in support of recovering our Southern Resident killer whales.”

“We’re excited to be part of the founding leadership of this initiative to reduce underwater noise to improve the environment for Southern Resident killer whales,” said Mike Moore of Pacific Merchant Shipping Association. “ Environmental stewardship is important to mariners who are willing to implement voluntary actions when there are measurable benefits. We also look forward to collaborating with our Canadian neighbors.”

Large vessels and vessel operations centers are asked to use the Whale Report Alert System, available as a mobile app or in a browser, providing real-time, geographically specific alerts of whale sightings. These alerts can enable vessels to take measures that are safe for humans and for the whales, such as slowing down, stopping, posting a lookout, or taking an alternate route. Quiet Sound is engaging Washington sightings networks to provide a more complete real-time picture of whale locations for mariners.

Immediate next steps for Quiet Sound include partnering with Oceans Initiative to engage Puget Sound boaters in underwater noise measurements and advising the Port of Seattle on a research initiative on what is needed to further develop Washington’s underwater noise sensing network. Quiet Sound will also partner with the U.S. Navy’s Northwest Tech Bridge on a technology challenge to support innovators in developing new onboard whale sensing capabilities for vessels underway.

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Welcome to Quiet Sound

Dec 23, 2021 | All, Quiet Sound Updates

Welcome to Quiet Sound

Welcome to the Quiet Sound website! We are excited to be part of the Southern Resident Killer Whale protection community. In addition to our brand new website, the year to come will begin the process of complementing and strengthening ongoing work and early actions to address underwater noise. In January we will have our first Leadership Committee where we will solidify our work groups and also begin the scheduling of those work group meetings and action plans. To learn more about our upcoming projects click here. To stay informed and follow the work of Quiet Sound and our work groups please visit us often or sign up for our mailing list here.

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