Ship Strikes Japan
After the Japanese ferry company Kumejima Ocean Jet announced plans to deploy hydrofoil ferries in an important breeding area for humpback whales off the coast of Okinawa, M.E.E.R. joined forces with Whale and Dolphin Conservation (WDC) in a constructive protest. In dialogue with Japanese scientists, we contributed our expertise on the subject and emphasized that the high presence of whales in the region poses a significant risk of collisions—also with regard to passenger safety. Collisions between whales and high-speed ferries are not uncommon, whether in the Canary Islands or off the Japanese coast. In particular the use of nearly silent hydrofoil ferries, which are difficult for whales to detect, is extremely dangerous.
WDC and M.E.E.R. sent several letters to the responsible authorities in the Japanese prefecture. The issue has since been picked up by the Japanese press. In response, the company made a statement at a press conference at the end of April. It proposed potential measures such as rerouting around areas with particularly dense whale populations, using drones for early detection of individuals, and deploying underwater speakers with warning sounds to deter the whales. While M.E.E.R. and WDC welcome the willingness to take measures, the proposed actions are far from sufficient. Rerouting would not be as effective as the speed limits we have called for, and there are no studies supporting the effectiveness of drone use in this context. We categorically reject the use of warning sounds via underwater speakers, as they add to the already existing disturbance caused by underwater noise. Moreover, there is no reliable evidence that this method works either.
Together, we will continue to monitor developments and aim to contribute our expertise and experience to ensure that the humpback whales off Okinawa—where they also give birth—are protected from the threat posed by high-speed ferries.
Further details can be found in this news article by WDC: https://de.whales.org/2025/04/29/schnellfaehren-bedrohen-buckelwale/
