Photo by Dariia Lemesheva
New technology is safeguarding whales at sea by predicting and reducing vessel strikes, with innovative automatic identification systems showing remarkable success in protecting critically endangered species.
A partnership between IFAW, MotionInfo, Conserve.IO and Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary is deployingAutomatic Identification Systems technology along the US East Coast to protect North Atlantic right whales.
Critical threat
Over the past seven years, 41 North Atlantic right whales have tragically lost their lives, with vessel strikes the most common determinable cause of death. With only about 370 individuals remaining, including 70 breeding females, the species teeters on the brink of extinction.
IFAW research found that between 2003 and 2018, 90% of North Atlantic right whale deaths with a known cause were linked to entanglement or vessel strikes.
Real-time alerts
The system uses on-shore AIS stations with custom software to automatically detect vessels in whale habitat and send targeted messages directly to them. Alerts include messages such as ‘you are entering,’ ‘you are leaving,’ or ‘you are going over the speed limit’ in regions with recent whale sightings.
Shore stations consist of lightweight, 20-pound waterproof boxes with AIS transceivers and small antennas. With US Coast Guard and NOAA support, MotionInfo has installed active stations in Cape Cod Bay, Massachusetts; Virginia Beach, Virginia; Tybee Island, Georgia; Brunswick, Georgia; and Jacksonville, Florida.
83% compliance rate
During a recent 20-day test, 83% of vessels slowed to 10 knots upon receiving alerts and remained compliant with speed restrictions, demonstrating the system’s effectiveness.
Full network coverage will require up to 130 new stations on the East Coast. Stations are underway across Southeast locations, including Sapelo Island, Little Saint Simon’s Island and Cumberland Island in Georgia, plus Fernandina Beach, Jacksonville, St Augustine and Marineland in Florida.
Transforming whale protection
The system overcomes longstanding barriers to compliance by providing real-time, location-specific data. Mariners receive timely nudges to modify behaviour rather than relying on voluntary action or outdated information.
Beyond vessel strike prevention, this system could be used for other marine conservation challenges and maritime safety measures, offering a scalable solution.
IFAW’s WhaleAlert app also allows mariners to track whale sightings in real time and take precautions to avoid collisions. Public whale sightings help establish speed zones, warnings and other measures to reduce vessel speeds.
Whales worldwide are threatened by vessel collisions. Both ship numbers and speeds have increased globally in recent decades, creating greater risk of ship strikes and injuries to whales.