Middle East Conflict: Increase in Sea Traffic Off South Africa Could Harm Whales, Scientists Warn
Researchers say rerouted vessels have doubled traffic in some periods and increased strike exposure by 20% to 50% for certain whale species.
- Conflicts in the Middle East have forced global shipping companies to reroute vessels around South Africa's Cape of Good Hope, which researchers told AFP has "substantially increased" the risk of whale collisions.
- Between March 1 and April 24, an average of 89 commercial vessels sailed around southern Africa, compared with 44 during the same period in 2023, as Houthi attacks and Middle East tensions diverted traffic.
- University of Pretoria whale unit lead researcher Els Vermeulen told the International Whaling Commission that "extensive spatial overlap" between shipping corridors and whale habitats amplifies collision chances.
- Modest shifts pushing traffic lanes further offshore could reduce strike exposure by 20-50 percent, while South Africa's environment ministry said authorities will examine mitigation measures once assessments are completed.
- Industry leaders like Swiss-based MSC have already rerouted ships off Greece and Sri Lanka, though WWF global lead Chris Johnson warned that "the animals haven't had time to adapt to shipping.
14 Articles
14 Articles
Middle East conflict raises ship collision risk for South African whales
Conflicts in the Middle East are reshaping maritime routes, posing significant threats to whale populations off South Africa as shipping traffic increases and collision risks rise, researchers warn.
War‑driven sea detours are reshaping shipping routes, putting whales off South Africa in sudden peril
Conflicts in the Middle East are increasing dangers for whales off South Africa by shifting sea traffic into their habitats and heightening the risks of collision, researchers told AFP.
Redeployment of maritime traffic from the Suez Canal to the Cape of Good Hope due to the war in the Middle East caused an unintended ecological crisis along South Africa, thousands of kilometers away. The risks of collisions between ships and cetaceans along South Africa "have increased considerably with the redirection of traffic from the Suez Canal to the...
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