News

21-07-2008

Noonsite Whale Collision Survey

Noonsite, the Global site for cruising sailors has recently collaborated with non-profit marine environmental group MEER to launch a worldwide survey of collisions and near misses between cetaceans (whales and dolphins) and sailing yachts.

Collisions between ships and cetaceans are increasing around the world and several whale populations are under massive threat due to a high collision risk in some areas such as the US East Coast, the Mediterranean and around the Canary Islands. Despite this, information on collisions between yachts and cetaceans is scarce.

Marine biologist Fabian Ritter, working for MEER is investigating reports of collisions and near miss events between sailing vessels and cetaceans. As part of this research noonsite.com and MEER are inviting all sailors around the world to provide information on any whale/dolphin collisions or near misses during their sailing careers.

All reports can be logged on noonsite with the objective of gathering statistical information on actual collisions and near misses, to help understand the reasons for the collisions and to help reduce the risk both for sailors and for cetaceans.

The MEER research project will run until the end of 2008. To log a report see Noonsite.com