New technology is being implemented in British Columbia waters to reduce collisions between whales and commercial vessels. Ocean Wise has introduced new underwater microphones, known as hydrophones, to detect whales in the area. Once whales are detected, commercial vessels will be alerted through a Whale Report Alert System, allowing mariners to slow down, re-route, or stop to avoid disturbing or injuring the whales.
Dr. Chloe Robinson, Ocean Wise’s Whales Initiative director, emphasized the importance of such technology in protecting marine mammals from vessel impacts. The integration of the alert system with hydrophone alerts will provide real-time detections and more alerts to keep whales safe from ship strikes.
The use of hydrophones will greatly enhance detection abilities, especially in remote areas and when visibility is low. The technology has been made possible through investments from the Government of Canada’s Oceans Protections Plan and Whales Initiative. The Boundary Pass Underwater Listening Station, where the hydrophones will be based, was commissioned in 2020 as part of the ECHO Program, led by the Port of Vancouver to enhance cetacean habitat and observation.
Pablo Rodriguez, the Minister of Transport, expressed optimism about the results of this pilot project, highlighting the efforts to reduce threats to endangered whale populations. Ocean Wise, a global conservation organization, is leading the initiative to protect and restore the ocean through community action. This new technology represents a critical step in safeguarding marine mammals in the waters on the Pacific Coast.
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