Submission of the proposal for the establishment of three Traffic Separation Devices off the northern Pacific coast of Peru to protect the migratory route of humpback whales and other cetaceans to the International Maritime Organization.
Ministry of Environment
(
Government
)
#OceanAction58674
Description
The proposal seeks to establish three new Traffic Separation Schemes (TSS) off the northern Peruvian Pacific coast: “Punta Pariñas - Talara”, “Bayovar - Punta Tur” and “Isla Lobos de Afuera”. The purpose of this measure is to improve navigational safety in port accesses, reduce accidents in areas with fishing, hydrocarbon and tourism activities, and minimize the risk of collision between ships and larger cetaceans, especially humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) during their migratory route to Panama.
In Peru, more than 90% of foreign trade is carried out by sea, and traffic is expected to increase due to the growth of trade with Asia and the entry into operation of the Chancay Megaport. At the same time, fishing activity has expanded, as have operations related to hydrocarbons and whale watching tourism, which generates greater interaction with commercial maritime traffic.
The waters of northern Peru are part of the migratory corridor and breeding grounds for the Southeast Pacific humpback whale population. These areas are threatened by human activities, such as maritime traffic, fishing, and other anthropogenic pressures. Studies indicate a high overlap between shipping routes and areas of high whale concentration, particularly in the Piura region, which increases the risk of collisions.
Data from the Peruvian Maritime Authority show that most commercial vessels sail close to the coast, transiting through the areas where TSSs are proposed, coinciding with the whales' migratory route. Between 2017 and 2018, IMARPE recorded eight humpback whale strandings in the north of the country; and between 2020 and 2024, 40 cases were reported. Although few have been confirmed as the result of collisions, the threat is real and little evaluated. Given this situation, it is proposed to adopt the TSS as a preventive measure, without imposing restrictions on navigation, but encouraging safer routes for vessels, away from areas with the highest concentration of cetaceans. This proposal is aligned with international recommendations, such as those of MEPC.1/Circ.674, and successful experiences in other countries. The proposed TSS are of a recommendatory nature and are located within Peruvian jurisdictional waters, subject to Rule 10 of the Convention on International Regulations for Preventing Collisions (COLREG 1972), to which Peru is a State Party. Their implementation will contribute significantly to maritime safety and the conservation of the marine environment, without affecting the space available for navigation.
Ministry of the Environment (Government), General Directorate of Peruvian Coast Guard (Government), Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Government) and World Wildlife Fund (NGO).
SDGS & Targets
Goal 14
Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development
14.1
By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution
14.1.1
(a) Index of coastal eutrophication; and (b) plastic debris density
14.2
By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans
14.2.1
Number of countries using ecosystem-based approaches to managing marine areas
14.3
Minimize and address the impacts of ocean acidification, including through enhanced scientific cooperation at all levels
14.3.1
14.4
By 2020, effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and destructive fishing practices and implement science-based management plans, in order to restore fish stocks in the shortest time feasible, at least to levels that can produce maximum sustainable yield as determined by their biological characteristics
14.4.1
14.5
By 2020, conserve at least 10 per cent of coastal and marine areas, consistent with national and international law and based on the best available scientific information
14.5.1
14.6
By 2020, prohibit certain forms of fisheries subsidies which contribute to overcapacity and overfishing, eliminate subsidies that contribute to illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and refrain from introducing new such subsidies, recognizing that appropriate and effective special and differential treatment for developing and least developed countries should be an integral part of the World Trade Organization fisheries subsidies negotiation
14.6.1
Degree of implementation of international instruments aiming to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing
14.7
By 2030, increase the economic benefits to Small Island developing States and least developed countries from the sustainable use of marine resources, including through sustainable management of fisheries, aquaculture and tourism
14.7.1
Sustainable fisheries as a proportion of GDP in small island developing States, least developed countries and all countries
14.a
Increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity and transfer marine technology, taking into account the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Criteria and Guidelines on the Transfer of Marine Technology, in order to improve ocean health and to enhance the contribution of marine biodiversity to the development of developing countries, in particular small island developing States and least developed countries
14.a.1
14.b
Provide access for small-scale artisanal fishers to marine resources and markets
14.b.1
Degree of application of a legal/regulatory/policy/institutional framework which recognizes and protects access rights for small‐scale fisheries
14.c
Enhance the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources by implementing international law as reflected in United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which provides the legal framework for the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources, as recalled in paragraph 158 of "The future we want"
14.c.1
Number of countries making progress in ratifying, accepting and implementing through legal, policy and institutional frameworks, ocean-related instruments that implement international law, as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, for the conservation and sustainable use of the oceans and their resources
SDG 14 targets covered
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Marco Antonio / Marco Alonso , Director of the General Directorate of Biological Diversity / Director (e) of the Directorate of Ecosystem and Species Conservation