Dear Marmam colleagues,

with this message we would like to enquire about your knowledge of ships strike events - and remind everybody about the global (IWC) ship strike data base .

The International Whaling Commission is addressing the problem of ship strikes since many years and has taken a leading role in this issue. It's Scientific Committee considers methods of estimating the number of whales killed from ship strikes; it is also fostering the dialogue between researchers, Authorities and the shipping industry and thus takes part in developing mitigation measures. The Conservation Committee has established a dedicated Ship Strikes Working Group to set up a five years strategic plan to develop a policy framework for mitigation of ship strike events and to co-ordinate work between member governments. The IWC is also working in conjunction with other international bodies such as the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and its Marine Environmental Protection Committee (MEPC).

Both committees provide a forum to report ship strike cases on the one hand, and the measures being taken within countries to reduce and record incidences of ship strikes.

The IWC has developed a standardized global database to report collisions between vessels and whales. The database is open for anyone to submit data and includes information on the whales (e.g., species, size, observed injuries, etc.) and on the vessels. The objectives of the database are accurate estimates of mortality and injuries, to help detect trends over time, to allow better modeling of risk factors (e.g., vessel type, speed, size), and to identify high risk or unsuspected problem areas. The data base provides an on-going facility for collecting new information. Most importantly, it relies on scientists and mariners providing information. Therefore, any report of a ship strike is important.

With this, we are looking for new records and invite any of you with information regarding collision cases or evidence of animals with clear sign of ship strike to compile the online database at: http://data.iwc.int/ShipStrike/logon.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2fshipstrike%2fdefault.aspx .

Such information can come from witness reports you may have heard of but also from (your own) scientific publications, etc.


We would like to thank you for your cooperation; please do not hesitate to get in touch with us in case you need further information and any assistance.


Please visit the IWC ship strike website to find out more at: http://iwc.int/ship-strikes.


Simone Panigada - panigada@inwind.it
Fabian Ritter - ritter@m-e-e-r.de

IWC ship strikes coordinators