First Nation collecting sound data, hoping to protect at-risk southern resident killer whales from ‘acoustic smog’ of increased maritime traffic Snuneywuxw First Nation, whose traditional territory includes the ‘Gulf Islands’ and key fishing grounds along major shipping routes between ‘Nanaimo’ and ‘Vancouver,’ is actively monitoring underwater noise. Photo courtesy of John White This story was originally published in Canada’s National Observer and appears here with permission and minor style edits. Underwater noise is a serious threat to endangered southern resident killer whales, as shipping traffic intensifies through some of the busiest waters off “Vancouver Island.” Indigenous-led efforts are underway to track vessel noise and protect whale habitat, according to government documents obtained by Canada’s National Observer, as maritime traffic in the area surges following the expansion of the Trans Mountain pipeline. It’s expected to grow even more with a port expansion south of “Vancouver,” too. Snuneywuxw First Nation, whose traditional territory includes the “Gulf Islands” and key fishing grounds along major shipping routes between “Nanaimo” and “Vancouver,” is now in its second year of monitoring underwater noise. “We’re seeing extreme impacts,” said John White, member of the First Nation and its director of land and natural resources. He said vessel traffic, particularly in “Nanaimo’s” harbour and the “Northumberland Channel,” generates underwater noise that has not been previously well-studied. “[Noise] ranges jump off the charts when we see all these vessels coming through.” The First Nation’s field teams collect acoustic data in a five-kilometre stretch between “Nanaimo” and “Gabriola Island,” waters regularly crossed by BC Ferries and congested with freighters waiting for a berth in “Vancouver.” Southern resident killer whales are observed by researchers in the southern Salish Sea in 2021. Photo courtesy Brad Hanson/U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration An ‘acoustic smog’ of ship noise The researchers track vessel-generated noise — such as propeller wash and anchor disturbances — using hydrophones, underwater microphones deployed from shore, and with an autonomous vessel. They hope to assess shipping noises’ impacts on marine life, including orcas and other marine mammals. Southern resident orcas are endangered, with a small population of about 75 individuals as of 2023, and have been listed under the federal Species at Risk Act since 2003. White said the killer whales tend to avoid the area during noise spikes, but later move through — sometimes even entering the harbour. The noise of ships, he added, visibly disturbs them as they chase food and migrate. Lance Barrett‑Lennard, a biologist specializing in the behaviour and population dynamics of killer whales, calls this constant din an “acoustic smog.” The orcas depend heavily on echolocation, a biological sonar system they use to send out sound waves to navigate and locate prey like chinook salmon. Increasing ship noise, he said, is making survival more difficult for the already struggling southern residents by disrupting vital pod communication and forcing orcas to call louder and longer, increasing their energy expenditure and reducing hunting efficiency. This persistent noise pollution inhibits the orcas’ ability to detect prey, compounding the existing challenge of fluctuating salmon populations. When salmon numbers are low, as they often are, the whales must work harder to find diminishing prey. “There’s a double jeopardy,” Barrett‑Lennard explained. The Salish Sea near the northern ‘Gulf Islands’ is home to endangered southern resident orcas. Photo by David P. Ball Orcas revered as messengers of the sea For the Snuneymuxw, orcas are more than just an endangered species on a government list — they are protectors and messengers of the sea, said David Laxiya, a 64-year old Elder of the nation. He described them as Kanimitsen, or sea wolves — guardians that reveal the ocean’s health to those who live beside it. “We call them the ‘sea wolf’ because they watch the waters for us,” he said. “If something goes wrong, the first ones to be affected are the orcas.” He said their struggles with ship noise and dwindling salmon are not only environmental crises, but warnings that the balance of the marine world is being disturbed. Much of the monitoring in these waters stems from Transport Canada’s Quiet Vessel Initiative, a federal program launched after the 2020 Federal Court of Appeal ruled that Canada had failed to properly consult First Nations on shipping traffic tied to the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion (TMX). The initiative was created to mitigate the risks to whales from surging marine traffic and to support Indigenous‑led monitoring in regions expected to face the heaviest pressure — particularly the Salish Sea, where tanker and freighter passages are projected to increase sevenfold. Government documents obtained through access to information requests by Canada’s National Observer show that the Quiet Vessel Initiative Indigenous stream was oversubscribed, with $6.3 million in requests against $2.48 million available funding from 2024 to 2026, leading to a merit-based selection process. Snuneymuxw’s proposal made the cut. Southern resident killer whales, an endangered species, frequent the waters of the Salish Sea. Photo courtesy Holly Fearnbach/U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Indigenous-led monitoring Blending acoustic science with Indigenous knowledge, the First Nation’s program pairs hydrophone recordings of ship traffic with guidance from elders to focus on critical salmon and whale habitat. The instruments have captured sustained, high‑decibel noise when ferries, tankers and freighters converge in narrow channels — findings that are reported regularly to Transport Canada and Fisheries and Oceans Canada. The internal document shows that the initiative was developed not only to measure the intensity, frequency and duration of underwater noise, but also to fill persistent gaps in transparency and accountability tied to government approvals for projects like TMX. “We’ve always monitored our traditional territory and taken care of it … we’ve just ramped it up,” White said. “Our team has grown from three staff to 25 in the last few years, just to have that voice and that presence within our territory, just to ensure that our resources are protected, and our waters and lands are protected as well.” White said the Snuneywuxw operation draws on partnerships beyond government. Years of collaboration with the Pacific Salmon Foundation, Ocean Wise and other regional environmental groups have strengthened Snuneymuxw’s capacity to process vast quantities of acoustic data and maintain continuous monitoring, even as federal support remains time-limited. Barrett-Lennard sees significant progress in Indigenous stewardship across the province, with many First Nations actively leading environmental planning and noise pollution management. He said he supports the Quiet Vessel Initiative, but warned that it is long overdue. “Its time was really 20 years ago,” he said. “My main concern is that it’s happening very slowly. “We’ve got an urgent situation where the whales are in desperate condition, so the faster these things can take place, the better.” B.C. Ferries says its Salish Orca vessel, which frequently crosses the Salish Sea, is one of its quietest. Photo courtesy of B.C. Ferries Ferry traffic a major source of local ocean noise Andrew Trites, a marine mammal expert and professor at University of British Columbia, points out that the biggest contributors to underwater noise are B.C. Ferries and recreational vessels, rather than the oil tankers that often capture public attention. “It’s our use, in terms of moving ourselves, that turns out to be the biggest [noise] source at this time,” he said. B.C. Ferries alone generate nearly three-quarters of all vessel noise in the Strait of Georgia and the Gulf Islands, he added. The regularity and proximity of these sailings, combined with the use of powerful engines and the sheer number of crossings, create a constant acoustic backdrop that makes navigation, feeding and socializing more difficult for whales. (The Crown corporation says it is taking measures to reduce the noise impacts of its ferries on southern resident orcas and other species, including introducing quieter vessels, and will “continue to work with regulators and scientists to identify new ways in which we can operate our ships to protect whales.”) Snuneywuxw First Nation is part of a working group to protect orcas, alongside Transport Canada and other stakeholders. White said some of the Nation’s recommendations include slowing down boats in sensitive areas, moving anchoring spots further offshore, limiting noisy activities like dragging anchor chains and handling ballast water, reducing the overall number of boats when possible and encouraging ships to use quieter engines or install systems that monitor underwater noise. With the new funding, White said a major priority is building a permanent monitoring system to track rising noise levels as shipping traffic continues to grow. That trend won’t be slowing down any time soon, he predicted, particularly with the coming expansion of the Roberts Bank terminal near “Vancouver.” “All we’re going to see is increased shipping,” he said. “Unfortunately, that’s just how commerce and the world works.” But for White, the effort isn’t simply a scientific exercise — it’s ultimately about protecting his community and way of life. He said when Snuneywuxw Youth catch their first salmon and bring it home, it’s a reminder of the importance of the First Nation’s efforts. “Our nation has occupied the shores of our territory in the Salish Sea since time immemorial,” he said. “We derived a very significant portion of our cultural identity, trade, food and travel from our marine environment. “This is why we do this work; we are the keepers of our traditional territory.”
With local orcas in desperate condition, Snuneywuxw is monitoring ships noises
