Through this new step, CMA CGM Group is strengthening its initiatives to protect the environment and preserve biodiversity in the United States and around the world.
CMA CGM Group, a global player in sea, land, air and logistics solutions, in collaboration with Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution deployed the second acoustic monitoring buoy, aptly named CMA CGM Sea Guardian-Savannah, 39 miles off the coast of Savannah, Ga. The first was launched off the coast of Norfolk, Va., last month. The buoys are designed to augment efforts to detect North Atlantic right whales along this heavily trafficked route and thereby help protect the endangered species.
CMA CGM Sea Guardian to help save one of the world’s most endangered animals and preserve marine biodiversity on the US East Coast
Although right whales in the North Atlantic are protected under the Endangered Species Act and the Marine Mammal Protection Act, serious threats to their survival are so many that there are only an estimated 336 of these large whales left on the planet. The installation of the buoys aims to help the survival of the right whale and fill a critical monitoring gap on the East Coast (see map).
The Norfolk and Savannah locations were chosen for the new systems because the ports are among the busiest in the United States, often putting ships directly in the path of migrating whales. The Port of Savannah is one of the largest and fastest growing container terminals in North America and an important strategic partner in the Group’s East Coast operations.
CMA CGM and WHOI to develop the industry consortium for the development of the protection of marine mammals
In addition to the assembly and deployment of new buoys to alert mariners to the presence of whales near critical US ports, CMA CGM and WHOI will lead the development of an industry consortium that has -focus on reducing risks to right whales from vessels and support continued operations. of WHOI-developed digital acoustic monitoring buoys. This unique collaboration, initiated in the United States, aims to have a global impact by improving marine mammal protection.
A Group committed to preserving biodiversity in the US and around the world
These buoy launches reaffirm CMA CGM’s commitment to preserving marine biodiversity in the United States and around the world. On the East Coast of the United States and Canada, CMA CGM requires its ships to reduce their speed to a maximum of 10 knots in some areas identified as breeding grounds for cetaceans. On the West Coast, CMA CGM voluntarily committed to the “Green Flag” speed-reduction program introduced in the sanctuary near the Santa Barbara Islands. Wherever possible, the Group tries to lower its speeds and thus limit the risk of collision in these cetacean-protection sanctuaries.
In addition to speed reduction programs, CMA CGM Group is involved in various projects designed to change the protection of marine mammals through the development of new technology. Examples include:
REPCET, a collaborative mesh density-based navigation system that allows merchant vessels to receive and send alerts on whale positions in real time.
SEA DETECT, a European project that tests new solutions for the detection of cetaceans and floating objects in the sea.
CMA CGM also participates in the LIFE-PIAQUO consortium, whose goal is to develop and test various equipment to reduce traffic noise in the ocean and its impact on aquatic biodiversity.
CMA CGM Group, as part of its sustainability commitment, will no longer carry plastic waste on any of its ships, as of June 2022. Through its partnership with WHOI and others, CMA CGM Group continues to work to conserve biodiversity which is one of the main priorities of its CSR policy and the development of trade that is more responsible and fair for everyone and the planet.
Heather Wood, CMA CGM Head of Sustainability-North America, said, “At CMA CGM, we are working for the planet with a focus on promoting decarbonization and increasing biodiversity within the oceans. The launch of our two CMA CGM Sea Guardian buoys are another step in the Group’s roadmap to preserve the health of the oceans and slow climate change to ensure that future generations of terrestrial and aquatic species are able to call the planet home.
Mark Baumgartner, project principal investigator and WHOI marine ecologist said, “This buoy deployment is a welcome addition to the network of buoys along the East Coast working to protect marine life, including the critically endangered North Atlantic right whale. The Savannah is a heavily trafficked route making it an important place to use this technology to prevent collisions and protect the species.”
Joanne Caldwell, director of risk management and sustainability at the Georgia Port Authority, said, “Protecting our biodiversity in Georgia is paramount to sustaining the natural resources we enjoy. Georgia Ports commends CMA CGM Group and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution for their work to protect endangered right whales.Georgia Ports is proud to be part of an industry consortium focused on reducing the risk to right whales.
Source: CMA CGM
