Researchers have warned that whale-ship collisions are becoming increasingly likely off South Africa’s coast as global shipping routes shift due to ongoing conflicts in the Middle East. A study presented at a recent International Whaling Commission meeting found that the country’s southwest coast, known as a key whale habitat, has also become a major alternative maritime route.
The research noted that after a British-owned vehicle carrier was hijacked near Yemen in November 2023, many international vessels began avoiding the Red Sea and rerouting around the Cape of Good Hope. Instability and blockades in the Strait of Hormuz have further pushed shipping companies to use South African waters. Researcher Els Vermeulen said there is now significant spatial overlap between whale habitats and shipping lanes, heightening collision risks.
According to AFP, between March 1 and April 24 this year, an average of 89 commercial ships passed through South African waters daily, compared with 44 during the same period in 2023. Scientists fear the increased traffic could harm marine biodiversity, posing a serious threat to slow-moving species like whales.
আমার দেশ অনলাইন প্রকাশ : ১১ মে ২০২৬, ১৭: ৩৫ মধ্যপ্রাচ্যে চলমান সংঘাতের কারণে আন্তর্জাতিক নৌপথে বড় ধরনের পরিবর্তন এসেছে, যার প্রভাব পড়ছে দক্ষিণ আফ্রিকার উপকূলীয় জলসীমায় থাকা তিমির ওপর। গবেষকদের মতে, এই অঞ্চলে জাহাজ চলাচল উল্লেখযোগ্যভাবে বেড়ে যাওয়ায় তি
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