THE Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) is rerouting its fleet to help protect blue whales near Sri Lanka, reports New York's Business Insider.
Blue whales are endangered, grow to be 80 feet long, and can live for 80 years.
'MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company has taken a major step to help protect blue whales and other cetaceans living and feeding in the waters off the coast of Sri Lanka by modifying navigation guidance in line with the advice of scientists and other key actors in the maritime sector,' said MSC.
msc declared it was taken in response to research conducted by the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) and other groups and universities.
The vessels passing through Sri Lanka's coastal waters will now travel 15 nautical miles south from the previous route.
Said IFAW director Sharon Livermore: 'By ensuring these small changes, MSC is making a significant difference for these endangered whales. Whales often die as a result of collisions, and this population is at risk. Ship strikes are both a conservation and a welfare problem, and even one whale death is one too many.'
MSC's voluntary rerouting does not impact other shipping carriers but hopes their decision could help permanent changes.
Research conducted on the area's blue whale population found that adjusting the shipping lane would reduce the risk.
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Blue whales are endangered, grow to be 80 feet long, and can live for 80 years.
'MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company has taken a major step to help protect blue whales and other cetaceans living and feeding in the waters off the coast of Sri Lanka by modifying navigation guidance in line with the advice of scientists and other key actors in the maritime sector,' said MSC.
msc declared it was taken in response to research conducted by the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) and other groups and universities.
The vessels passing through Sri Lanka's coastal waters will now travel 15 nautical miles south from the previous route.
Said IFAW director Sharon Livermore: 'By ensuring these small changes, MSC is making a significant difference for these endangered whales. Whales often die as a result of collisions, and this population is at risk. Ship strikes are both a conservation and a welfare problem, and even one whale death is one too many.'
MSC's voluntary rerouting does not impact other shipping carriers but hopes their decision could help permanent changes.
Research conducted on the area's blue whale population found that adjusting the shipping lane would reduce the risk.
SeaNews Turkey