Each year, the estimated 300 whales feeding near the Southern coast of Sri Lanka are hit over 1.000 times by up to 300 meters long carrier vessels. 50 of these strikes are likely to be lethal for the rare Pygmy blue whales.

Whales ship strikes are occurring globally, in all oceans and the Mediterranean Sea and could well be the main cause of whales' mortality. Whales' population in the Mediterranean Sea has reduced two thirds in 20 years.

Friend of the Sea is urging the World Shipping Council (representing 90% of the shipping industry) and the top ten shipping companies (NYK,Maersk, Evergreen Marine Corporation, CMA-CGM,MSC, Hapag-Lloyd, APL, Cosco, Hanjin, and CSCL) to implement technically available and inexpensive whales strikes reduction measures, including thermal cameras and an online platform to report whales' presence globally.

The World Shipping Council and the major shipping companies have not even replied to Friend of the Sea until now nor have they agreed to meet for discussion.

The shipping industry has greatly reduced its environmental impact over the years. It is now time to deal with its silent impact on whales which are being decimated by ship strikes.