Yukon Premier Ranj Pillai has emphasized the importance of investing in Arctic infrastructure to improve the lives of northern residents. However, proposed developments, such as deep-sea ports, could pose significant risks to the region's marine mammals, including bowhead and beluga whales, narwhals, and seals.
Conservation scientist William Halliday from WCS Canada warns that increased vessel traffic from such ports could triple the number of large ships in the area during summer months. These ships create noise pollution, which can disrupt communication among marine mammals and increase the likelihood of fatal collisions with slow-moving species like the bowhead whale.
Halliday explains that underwater noise is particularly detrimental, as it can mask vital sounds that marine mammals use for communication and detecting predators. Some species, like belugas and narwhals, have been shown to react to noise from ships up to 50 kilometers away, often abandoning foraging grounds and vocalizations.
Despite the potential dangers, there are ongoing conservation efforts. Communities in the Northwest Territories, such as Tuktoyaktuk and Inuvik, are co-managing marine protected areas designed to safeguard beluga whales and other species. However, compliance with voluntary shipping management measures is still a concern, as many ships do not adhere to recommended slow travel near these protected regions.
Halliday urges the government to engage more effectively with local communities regarding these developments, emphasizing the need for their input to ensure the protection of marine ecosystems.