High rate of ship strike to large whales off Chile: Historical data and proposed actions to reduce risk

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dc.contributor.authorToro, Frederick
dc.contributor.authorBuchan, Susannah J
dc.contributor.authorAlvarado-Rybak, Mario
dc.contributor.authorBedrinana-Romano, Luis
dc.contributor.authorGarcia-Cegarra, Ana M
dc.contributor.authorHucke-Gaete, Rodrigo
dc.contributor.authorOlavarria, Carlos
dc.contributor.authorSepulveda, Maritza
dc.contributor.authorGalletti-Vernazzani, Barbara
dc.contributor.authorSielfeld, Walter
dc.contributor.authorAguayo, Anelio
dc.contributor.authorCapella, Juan
dc.contributor.authorPerez-Alvarez, Maria Jose
dc.contributor.authorViddi, Francisco
dc.contributor.authorCaceres, Benjamin
dc.contributor.authorGibbons, Jorge
dc.contributor.authorAcevedo, Jorge
dc.contributor.authorGuzman, Hector
dc.contributor.authorGuerra, Jorge
dc.contributor.authorSaez, Ricardo
dc.contributor.authorSeguel, Mauricio
dc.contributor.authorFishbach, M. Michael
dc.date.accessioned2026-08-28T02:20:48Z
dc.date.available2026-08-28T02:20:48Z
dc.date.issued2025
dc.description.abstractShip strikes are a worldwide threat to large whales as a major cause of mortality and injury. In the Southeast Pacific, this has been poorly studied. In the last decade, an increase in ship strikes has been observed off Chile. This study assesses ship strike mortality in large whales off Chile using data on fatal strandings from the past 52 years, (1972-2023) and vessel traffic patterns. In 63 out of 226 strandings (28 %), ship strike was the direct or probable cause of mortality, i.e. the primary cause of non-natural death in whales. Fin whales (B. physalus) suffered highest total ship strikes (n = 23; 37%), followed by humpback (M. novaeangliae) (n =13; 21 %), blue whales (B. musculus) (n = 7; 11 %), sei (B. borealis) and sperm whales (P. macrocephalus) (n = 6; 10 %). Ship strikes were highest in the Regions of Valparaiso, Coquimbo, Atacama and Antofagasta (Central-Northern Chile), Los Lagos, Aysen and Magallanes (Southern Chile). Since 2013, when necropsies began to be systematically performed, an average of 5 individuals/year have been killed by ships, mostly between January and May. We review all ship strike studies globally and compare rates in Chile with those elsewhere. Based on data between 2013 and 2023, Chile is the country with the highest ship strike mortality globally; considering the entire time series since 1972, Chile ranks number six worldwide. We identify major knowledge gaps and recommend policy measures, including establishing High-Risk Areas and the implementation of shipping lanes modifications and vessel speed restrictions.
dc.description.sponsorshipCentro COPAS Coastal, Uni-versidad de Chile; Universidad Andres Bello, Universidad San Sebastian; Chilean Wildlife Veterinary Association (AMEVEFAS); National Fisheries Service (SERNAPESCA)
dc.identifier.doi10.1016/j.marpol.2024.106577
dc.identifier.issn0308-597X
dc.identifier.urihttps://repositorioabierto.uantof.cl/handle/uantof/751
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherElsevier
dc.relation.urihttps://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0308597X24005773?pes=vor&utm_source=clarivate&getft_integrator=clarivate
dc.rights© 2025 Elsevier Ltd. All rights are reserved, including those for text and data mining, AI training, and similar technologies.
dc.sourceMarine Policy
dc.subjectShips strike
dc.subjectWhales
dc.subjectChile
dc.subjectStrandings
dc.subjectMarine policy
dc.titleHigh rate of ship strike to large whales off Chile: Historical data and proposed actions to reduce risk
dc.typeArticle
oaire.citation.volume174
organization.identifier.rorhttps://ror.org/04eyc6d95
organization.legalNameUniversidad de Antofagasta
uantof.identificator.facultyFacultad de Ciencias del Mar y Recursos Biológicos
uantof.identificator.instituteInstituto de Ciencias Naturales Alexander von Humboldt
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