Protecting Whales from Ship Strikes with Technology

Whales, who have survived threats like commercial whaling, now face a new danger of ship strikes causing up to 20,000 whale deaths annually. The North Atlantic right whale, with only about 360 left, is particularly vulnerable. A strike prevention group called Whale Safe utilizes technology to reduce whale deaths from vessel strikes. By deploying underwater microphones on buoys, they alert ships to the presence of whales in the area based on their calls. These alerts help ships slow down in designated slow zones. Additionally, Whale Safe grades companies on their compliance with speed limits, encouraging them to prioritize whale protection. This technology has shown success in California and is now expanding to the East Coast to protect the endangered North Atlantic right whale population.