mcbem-2014-01-submission-wwf-en

Figure 5. Total number of actual and estimated future visits to British Columbia’s North and Central
Coast. Courtesy of Mike Ambach.
Currently, the largest vessels in the region include Panamax-class and smaller Capesize-class vessels (up
to 100,000 DWT approximately). Increased growth will see larger vessels, possibly in the VLCC class for
heavy oil tankers upwards of 250,000 DWT) and large LNG vessels.
Notably, these estimates are for transiting commercial vessels only, and do not reflect the operational
presence of tugs providing assistance to larger vessels. MCTS data shows up to 28% of all vessel traffic is
comprised of local tug transits – the corresponding number for which can be expected to rise in
accordance with increased large vessel traffic. As well, the above estimates do not reflect trends in
smaller vessel traffic such as fishing boats, water taxis, charter operators, or pleasure crafts. Nor do they
reflect the presence of military, coast guard, or research vessels. While the overall contribution from the
latter toward underwater noise levels is much smaller than for larger vessels, significant issues have
been raised regarding the displacement of vessel traffic, increased risk of collision, and other crosssectoral
conflicts. One can imagine a growing level of underwater noise, shifting both temporally and
spatially across the range of frequencies corresponding to different vessel types.
Other potential sources of underwater noise include: noise from the construction phases of port growth,
noise from seismic activities (should the current moratorium on offshore oil and gas exploration be
lifted), and noise from piling operations associated with potential future offshore renewable energy
projects.
Examples of vessel traffic assessment, including future trends, have been developed in neighbouring
Southeast Alaska 5 and for the Aleutian Islands 6 . Given the similar geographic context and to some
5 Nuka Research & Planning Group, LLC. (2012). Soughteat Alaska Vessel Traffic Study, July 23, 2012, Revision 1.
6 DET NORSKE VERITAS & ERM - WEST, I. (2010). Aleutian Islands Risk Assessment Phase A – Preliminary Risk Assessment.
Prepared For: National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, United States Coast Guard, Alaska Department of Environmental
Conservation (pp. 1–98).
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