New Routing Recommendation - Ensenada New Mexico

18 months of scientific research study completed on the whales seasonally present in the general entry area to the port region of Ensenada, Mexico.

Local biologists, led by Jasivi Arcos-Dias under permit with Professor Gustavo Cardenas, have completed 18 months of 4x monthly day-long surveys, all done under the guidance of Michael Fishbach. The conclusions are that a number of great whale species are at great risk from transiting ships unaware that the area is critical to whale. Due to the significant seasonal presence of Blue Whales in this area, this project will prove to be invaluable in saving whale lives.

The endangered blue whale has thus far only been encountered between the months of April and July during our annual surveys therefore the routing measures proposed are only effective in that period.

Based on the whale sightings, habitat hotspots have been grouped into 3 large Areas To Be Avoided (ATBAs):

• Costa Azul ATBA

• Islas de Todos Santos ATBA

• Punta Banda ATBA

𝘙𝘌𝘊𝘖𝘔𝘔𝘌𝘕𝘋𝘈𝘛𝘐𝘖𝘕𝘚

• When planning a 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘁 along the Mexican Pacific coust, maintain a minimal distance of 25NM

• Only vessels destined for the Costa Azul LNG Terminal can enter the ATBA at a maximum speed of 8 knots

• All ships above 50 GT should avoid the 3 identified ATBAs and reduce speed to below 10 knots when east of the longitude 117°00'W

The full routing document is accessible here.