Residents along the coast of British Columbia are generously allowing the installation of whale detection technology on their private properties to protect the marine mammals passing through the area. Suzette Alvarez and Marshall Farris, who own a property near Halfmoon Bay on the Sunshine Coast, had a live camera set up beneath their deck in May 2024. The camera faces the Malaspina Strait, while a hydrophone placed 20 meters deep in the ocean captures underwater sounds from vessels and marine animals.
Recent incidents of humpback whales being injured or killed by vessels on the B.C. coast have prompted concerned residents like Alvarez to support the deployment of technology for whale detection. The Raincoast Conservation Foundation, a non-profit organization comprised of conservationists and scientists, manages and analyzes the data collected from the camera and hydrophone. Valeria Vergara, a scientist with the foundation, emphasized the importance of this technology in an area that lacks sufficient acoustic sampling.
The research conducted by the foundation focuses on monitoring endangered marine mammal species by tracking their vocalizations and assessing the impact of human-generated noise, such as boat traffic, on these animals. Vergara highlighted the detrimental effects of underwater noise pollution on humpback whales and orcas, emphasizing the urgency of protecting these species. She mentioned that noise pollution, along with contaminants and reduced prey availability, poses significant threats to the recovery of endangered southern resident killer whales.
Another resident, Chris Roper from Pender Island, is contributing to the cause by hosting an infrared thermal camera named WhaleSpotter on his property. This camera, operated by the W̱SÁNEĆ Marine Guardians, aids in monitoring and advocating for the protection of southern resident killer whales in the Salish Sea. The thermal camera utilizes artificial intelligence to detect whale blows in real-time, allowing for immediate verification and transmission of data to operators.
With over ten cameras deployed across British Columbia, the WhaleSpotter technology offers a science-backed solution to enhance whale protection. These devices can potentially facilitate the implementation of speed limits for vessels in areas where whales are detected, reducing the risk of collisions and harm to marine mammals. The collaborative effort of residents like Alvarez and Roper, along with the advancements in whale detection technology, aims to raise awareness and promote conservation efforts for the marine ecosystem in British Columbia.
