Unusual alliance in Sri Lanka forged to save blue whales

While shipping companies say they’re willing to absorb the cost of the moved corridor, the Sri Lankan government says it’s worried the relocation might make ships less inclined to stop in the country.

Blue whale

When the feeding grounds of blue whales overlap with busy shipping lanes, it’s often bad news for the endangered marine mammals.

In Sri Lanka, however, an unusual alliance has been forged- conservationists and shipping companies have aligned in a bid to move the traffic lane about 28 km away to help avoid collisions between whales and freighters. The only holdout is Sri Lanka, which has so far declined to sign off.

While shipping companies say they’re willing to absorb the cost of the moved corridor, the Sri Lankan government says it’s worried the relocation might make ships less inclined to stop in the country. After years of lobbying from scientists and the shipping industry, Sri Lanka said a decision might “hopefully” be made in March.