Marine scientists in British Columbia are optimistic about adopting a new partnership-based strategy for monitoring whale activity, inspired by a successful initiative in California. In San Francisco Bay, a coalition of researchers, ferry operators, and the public are utilizing an innovative approach to track whale movements through the use of an app and specialized cameras.
These WhaleSpotter cameras, housed in compact white boxes resembling microwaves, employ thermal imaging technology to surveil whale activity around the clock. The data captured by these cameras, combined with human sightings, is accessible to the public via a dedicated app. Daniel Zitterbart, the lead scientist at WhaleSpotter, emphasized the importance of increased surveillance to safeguard whales, stating, “The more eyes we have on the water, the better we can protect these magnificent creatures.”
While WhaleSpotter cameras are operational in certain areas of British Columbia, they are currently limited to land-based installations, lacking the capability to detect whales in marine regions frequented by ferries. These cameras have a visual range of approximately two nautical miles (3.7 kilometers).
Tracking marine mammals is crucial for understanding their migration patterns and mitigating vessel collisions, an issue that has garnered significant attention in British Columbia due to several documented incidents in recent years. Notable incidents include the tragic death of a humpback whale in Wright Sound, a humpback calf struck by a Hullo Ferry, and the fatal collision that claimed an endangered J pod orca in 2016.
In San Francisco Bay, the WhaleSpotter cameras are integrated with a user-friendly app called Whale Safe, enabling scientists, mariners, researchers, and the public to monitor whale sightings collaboratively. Douglas McCauley, Director of the Benioff Ocean Science Laboratory, highlighted the community-driven nature of this initiative, emphasizing its role as a public service resource.
In British Columbia, only approved commercial mariners have access to the WhaleSpotter camera data through the Ocean Wise whale report alert system, aimed at notifying them of nearby whale presence. The general public does not have direct access to this information.
Thomas Hall from San Francisco Bay Ferry expressed optimism about utilizing ferry-mounted cameras to study whale behavior over time. Zitterbart advocated for similar measures to be adopted by B.C. Ferries, suggesting that widespread camera deployment could enhance whale protection, particularly along humpback whale migration routes.
Responding to growing concerns about whale safety, B.C. Ferries is considering implementing detection devices on its northern route, following a fatal humpback whale collision last autumn. Efforts are underway to expand these measures to other ferry routes.
Calls for enhanced collaborative conservation efforts have intensified as increased ship traffic and climate change disrupt whale habitats and migration patterns. Researchers in San Francisco have observed an uptick in grey whale sightings as the mammals seek new food sources during their northward migration.
Canadian Wildlife Federation conservation biologist Sean Brillant emphasized the urgency of addressing vessel strikes as a significant threat to whales in Canada. He stressed the need for unified action both domestically and internationally to protect these marine creatures effectively.
Collaborative data-sharing initiatives are recognized as key to successful conservation efforts globally, underscoring the importance of coordinated actions to ensure the well-being of whales across borders.
