Marine researchers in British Columbia are exploring a new approach to whale monitoring inspired by a collaborative effort in California. Experts in San Francisco Bay, including scientists, ferry operators, and the public, are utilizing an innovative method to track whale movements, which could potentially reduce whale strikes in the region.
The WhaleSpotter cameras, compact thermal imaging devices placed in white boxes, are employed to observe whale activities around the clock. These sightings, combined with human observations, are logged in a publicly accessible app. Daniel Zitterbart, the lead scientist at WhaleSpotter, emphasized the importance of increased surveillance to enhance whale protection.
While WhaleSpotter cameras are also present in British Columbia, they are currently stationed on land only, limiting their whale detection range to approximately two nautical miles. Tracking these marine mammals is crucial for understanding their migration routes and preventing vessel collisions, an issue that has gained significant attention in British Columbia due to several documented whale strikes in recent years.
In San Francisco Bay, the WhaleSpotter cameras are linked to the Whale Safe app, enabling scientists, mariners, and the public to monitor whale sightings collaboratively. Douglas McCauley, the director of Benioff Ocean Science Laboratory, highlighted the community-driven nature of this initiative as a valuable public service resource.
In British Columbia, the Ocean Wise whale report alert system allows approved commercial mariners to access data captured by the cameras, notifying them of the presence of whales nearby. Thomas Hall from San Francisco Bay Ferry expressed optimism about using ferry-mounted cameras to study whale behavior patterns and adjust routes accordingly. Zitterbart advocated for similar camera deployment on all B.C. Ferries routes, particularly those intersecting “humpback highways.”
Efforts to enhance collaborative protective measures have intensified as ship traffic rises and climate change forces whales to adapt their behavior. McCauley noted an increase in grey whale sightings in San Francisco Bay, attributing it to their search for new food sources. Last year, 21 whales died in the bay, with 40% showing signs of ship strikes, underscoring the urgency to address this threat.
Sean Brillant, a conservation biologist with the Canadian Wildlife Federation, emphasized the global significance of vessel strikes as a major threat to whale populations. He stressed the need for cross-border collaboration to safeguard these marine giants, emphasizing the importance of data sharing among various agencies for successful conservation efforts.