Ocean Wise Expands Underwater Microphone Whale Detection Initiative to Endangered Killer Whale Critical Habitat

Sept 3, 2024

Photo Credit: Ocean Wise
 
Ocean Wise is pleased to announce the expansion of whale presence alerts to commercial mariners in southern resident killer whale critical habitat. This expansion is thanks to SMRU Consulting in collaboration with the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, as they integrate underwater microphones, or hydrophones, off the coast of Lime Kiln Point State Park on San Juan Island, Washington State, to the Whale Report Alert System.

The Ocean Wise Whale Report Alert System, or WRAS, works to protect whale populations from ship disturbances and collisions by alerting nearby commercial mariners to the presence of whales. With this integration, hydrophones at Lime Kiln will provide data to the WRAS, which will automatically send alerts to nearby large vessels with real-time information on whale presence.

Ocean Wise first introduced the integration of hydrophones – or underwater microphones – into the WRAS in April 2024 with its integration with the Boundary Pass listening station in collaboration with Transport Canada, JASCO Applied Sciences and the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority. Hydrophones automatically detect whale calls and clicks. These whale detections are then communicated in real-time to mariners via the WRAS, helping them to make informed decisions to slow down or re-route to avoid disturbing or injuring the whales.

The hydrophone located in the waters surrounding Lime Kiln Lighthouse, located off Lime Kiln Point State Park, was chosen for data integration with WRAS, as this is an area well frequented by Southern Resident Killer Whales. 

In collaboration with the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority and The Whale Museum, SMRU Consulting upgraded the existing hydrophone at Lime Kiln in 2016. Since its integration with the WRAS in June 2024, the system has sent over 100 real-time alerts to mariners, 44% of which were issued after daylight hours—times when traditional visual whale detection methods are less effective.

Ocean Wise anticipates that the expanded use of hydrophones will lead to more alerts being generated by the WRAS, increasing mariner awareness and reducing the risk of vessel strikes.

The Whale Report Alert System is a key component of the Ocean Wise Sightings Network. For more information, visit ocean.org/whales.