Aurore Morin
How your support is shaping policy for a safer ocean
How your support is shaping policy for a safer ocean
Aurore Morin | 18 September 2025
You might imagine that whales, dolphins, and other marine animals swim freely through a vast, peaceful, open ocean, uninhibited by the humans who live on land. But unfortunately, that isn’t the case. Marine animals are constantly navigating a maze of threats, including collisions with vessels, which often cause injury and slow, painful deaths, and a constant thrum of noise, which makes it difficult to communicate, rest, and find food.
Right now, the ocean isn’t a serene, healthy environment for animals. But if we make the right changes, it could be. That’s why we at IFAW are asking legislators in Europe to lower speed limits of commercial vessels, move busy shipping routes away from whale hotspots, and issue clear guidance to countries on underwater noise. This is Blue Speeds.
Members of IFAW’s Blue Speeds team outside the Berlaymont building with the petition handover cheque. Photo: Jurgen Noack / © IFAW
Showing your support to legislators
Last Friday, we delivered 258,000 signatures from supporters like you to the European Commission, demanding these actions. This constituted a huge step for those of us who have been working on the Blue Speeds campaign for the past three years—and a major milestone in IFAW’s continued efforts to protect all ocean life.
I feel incredibly grateful that more than a quarter of a million people showed their support for our initiative. We were proud to show European legislators that such an impressive number of citizens care about these issues.
The European Commission staff we met were impressed by the amount of support we received for the reduction of ship speeds. They recognised that underwater noise pollution and vessel strikes are considerable threats to marine life that the EU and its Member States are currently failing to address.
Next steps for Blue Speeds
Not only does Blue Speeds support a healthy ocean by reducing noise and collision risks, but it also helps decrease greenhouse gas emissions from shipping. It’s economical, too, as it helps the shipping industry spend less on fuel.
Throughout this autumn, the EU will open a public consultation to gather public opinions on vessel speed reductions and other measures to protect marine life—your support and participation will once again be crucial.
In the meantime, IFAW is planning to trial Blue Speeds with commercial vessels from different sectors to demonstrate how it’s not just an ideal—it’s a practical, feasible solution. Soon, we’ll also be engaging with Member States to insist that the EU makes speed reductions mandatory.
Underwater noise and ship strikes are not only a problem in Europe; they are global threats to marine life. We will continue our work at the international level—working through the International Maritime Organization—to ensure concrete outcomes address both issues and make our ocean safer, quieter, and healthier for future generations.
All the while, we will be relying on the steadfast support of everyday people who understand the threats marine animals are up against and continue to demand change.
Fin whale swimming underwater near Portugal.
Raise your voice for whales
From all of us at IFAW, thank you to those who signed our petition and raised their voices to help protect marine life.
Without you and thousands of others speaking up, this handover would never have been possible. Together, we have shown EU leaders that more than a quarter of a million people across Europe want a safer ocean for animals.
We will continue to work hard to ensure that the EU adopts Blue Speeds, making the necessary changes to get marine life out of harm’s way.
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