Greek Shipping Company Reroutes Ships to Protect Endangered Sperm Whales in Mediterranean

In a significant move towards marine conservation, Greek shipping company Arcadia Shipmanagement has announced a change in its operational routes to protect endangered sperm whales in the eastern Mediterranean.

This initiative is a response to a call from global conservation organisations, including IFAW, OceanCare, Pelagos Cetacean Research Institute, and WWF Greece, highlighting the threat ship strikes pose to the small and endangered whale population near the Hellenic Trench.

Arcadia Shipmanagement’s CEO, Captain Dimitrios Mattheou, stated, “We are deeply committed to sustainable and responsible shipping practices. Rerouting our vessels to avoid critical whale habitats is part of our commitment to preserving marine life and protecting the endangered sperm whale population.”

The eastern Mediterranean’s sperm whale population, estimated at fewer than 200, faces extinction due to ship collisions. Research indicates that over 50% of stranded whales in the area have died from ship strikes, and the toll could be even higher, with many fatalities going undetected.

Sharon Livermore, Director of Marine Conservation at IFAW, praised Arcadia’s decision, calling on other shipping companies to follow suit. “Even one whale lost to a ship strike is one too many,” she emphasized, underscoring the importance of protecting the whales’ habitat.

Arcadia Shipmanagement joins several other international firms committed to rerouting ships and minimising the impact of maritime operations on endangered species.

(Source: World Animal News)