AI Technology Aims to Protect Gray Whales in San Francisco Bay
AI-powered whale-spotting tech may help save San Francisco Bay’s gray whales
Science News
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An AI-powered monitoring system is being deployed in San Francisco Bay to protect gray whales from ship strikes. Utilizing thermal cameras and AI, the system detects whales up to 7 kilometers away, allowing vessels to adjust their routes. This initiative follows a concerning trend of whale deaths due to increased shipping traffic and climate change-related food shortages.
- 01The AI detection system can identify whales from up to 7 kilometers away, providing critical alerts to nearby vessels.
- 02In 2025, 21 gray whales were found dead in San Francisco Bay, with two-fifths of those deaths attributed to ship strikes.
- 03The technology was developed over 15 years by researchers at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, leading to the creation of WhaleSpotter.
- 04Gray whale populations have declined from about 20,500 in 2018 to approximately 14,500 in 2023 due to climate change and food scarcity.
- 05The coalition behind this initiative includes the U.S. Coast Guard, marine ecologists, and local ferry companies, highlighting a collaborative approach to conservation.
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A new AI-powered monitoring system aims to protect gray whales in San Francisco Bay, where increasing ship traffic has led to a rise in whale deaths. The system employs thermal cameras and artificial intelligence to detect whales up to 7 kilometers away, sending alerts to vessels to slow down or change course. This technology was unveiled on May 19 by a coalition of ocean scientists, the U.S. Coast Guard, and local ferry companies. The initiative comes in response to alarming statistics: in 2025, 21 gray whales were found dead in the bay, with two-fifths of those deaths caused by ship strikes. The gray whale population has also seen a significant decline, dropping from 20,500 in 2018 to about 14,500 in 2023. Factors contributing to this decline include climate change, which disrupts their food sources, leading these whales to seek nourishment in the bay. Researchers hope this technology will enhance whale protection efforts and foster collaboration among various stakeholders in the shipping industry and conservation community.
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This technology aims to reduce whale fatalities caused by ship strikes, contributing to the conservation of gray whales in the bay.
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