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When the nine SailGP teams compete in the penultimate event of Season 3 on March 18-19, the smallest and rarest marine dolphins in the world may be there too. The risk to the Hector’s dolphins, known to frequent the natural amphitheater of Lyttelton Harbour, have raised concerns in Christchurch, New Zealand.
An unredacted version of the SailGP Marine Mammal Management Plan reveals there is a risk some will be killed, which prompted the development and deployment of two acoustic monitoring hydrophone buoys into the racing area to detect the presence of Hector’s dolphins in the harbor.
As the plan had initially been released with much of the content blacked out, there was an effort to conceal the effort to insure dolphin safety. More so, one expert believes it is possible for the dolphins, which have an inquisitive nature, to be attracted to the Acoustic Deterrent Device (ADD).
An excerpt which had been blacked out stated:
“Marine mammals already face risks year-round within Whakaraupō/Lyttelton Harbour but the risk level will be heightened by SailGP’s training and racing activities. The SailGP Grand Prix will lead to increased boat traffic in the area on the practice, rehearsal and racing days, increasing the risk of vessel strike to marine mammals, particularly upokohue/hector’s dolphin.”
SailGP fast-tracked the introduction of this technology which is essentially an underwater acoustic surveillance system. Powered by artificial intelligence, the system uses passive and active acoustic monitoring to detect the underwater communication and clicking of dolphins…
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