Brittany Ferries: Operational Feedback on Marine Mammal Protection

For more than 20 years, Brittany Ferries has worked alongside marine conservation charity ORCA to improve the understanding and protection of whales and dolphins. Today, this long-standing partnership supports the company's progressive alignment with the Green Marine Europe "Underwater Noise" performance indicator, combining operational measures, scientific monitoring and crew engagement.

Since 2001, Brittany Ferries has partnered with ORCA, a Portsmouth-based marine conservation charity renowned for its expertise in whale and dolphin monitoring and protection. This collaboration reflects the company's commitment to integrating onboard science into its CSR strategy and actively contributing to the preservation of marine ecosystems.

Building on this long-standing partnership and the data generated through onboard monitoring, Brittany Ferries has structured its approach to align with the Green Marine Europe Underwater Noise indicator. By combining operational monitoring, planning tools and crew engagement, the company aims to reduce its impact on marine mammals. The initial challenge lies in operating regular ferry routes across sensitive areas with high cetacean density, where underwater noise and collision risks are notable.

To meet Level 2 criteria, Brittany Ferries worked with ORCA to develop a Marine Mammal Management Plan (MMMP) identifying and mapping sensitive habitats along its routes. At Level 3, the company actively contributes to marine mammal monitoring through onboard ORCA surveyors, integrating real-time sightings and protected area data into navigation practices. At Level 4, dedicated crew training programmes delivered by ORCA ensure that bridge teams are equipped to apply mitigation measures effectively.

In 2025, onboard marine mammal surveyors recorded more than 3,300 animals across 16 species, while ORCA's Ocean Conservationists reported over 15,000 sightings, strengthening situational awareness and supporting adaptive operational responses. This continuous flow of data contributes both to day-to-day decision-making and to broader marine conservation efforts.

While operational constraints - particularly those related to safety and schedule reliability - can limit routing flexibility and require trade-offs, Brittany Ferries' progressive alignment with the Green Marine Europe framework demonstrates a structured, measurable and science-based approach to reducing its environmental impact.

Green Marine Europe perspective
This operational feedback illustrates how long-term scientific partnerships can support continuous improvement under the Green Marine Europe environmental certification program. By sharing concrete experiences, participants contribute to the collective advancement of environmental practices across the maritime sector.

Pictures : ORCA credits