Residents along British Columbia’s coastline are stepping up to protect passing marine mammals by installing detection technology on their private properties. Suzette Alvarez and Marshall Farris, who own a waterfront property near Halfmoon Bay on the Sunshine Coast, have set up a live camera under their house deck and deployed a hydrophone 20 meters deep into the ocean. The camera overlooks the Malaspina Strait, while the hydrophone captures underwater noise from vessels and marine life.
Recent incidents, including the deaths of three humpback whales and injuries to others due to vessel strikes, have spurred local residents like Alvarez to take action using technology to aid in whale detection. The Raincoast Conservation Foundation, a non-profit organization consisting of conservationists and scientists, manages and analyzes the data collected from the camera and hydrophone, which is the first of its kind in the region.
The foundation’s research focuses on monitoring endangered marine mammal species by tracking their vocalizations and studying the impact of human-induced noise pollution from boats on these animals. Valeria Vergara, a scientist with the foundation, highlights the critical need for acoustic monitoring in the area due to the lack of comprehensive data.
For humpback whales and orcas, sound plays a vital role in communication and hunting. Vergara emphasizes the detrimental effects of noise pollution on Southern resident killer whales, citing it as one of the main factors hindering their recovery along with contaminants and prey scarcity.
In addition to Alvarez’s efforts, Chris Roper from Pender Island has offered his property to host an infrared thermal camera called WhaleSpotter to aid the W̱SÁNEĆ Marine Guardians in protecting Southern resident killer whales in the Salish Sea. This technology, backed by artificial intelligence, can detect whale blows in real time, allowing for prompt verification and data transmission for immediate action.
The deployment of these detection technologies, coupled with the advocacy for speed limits in high-traffic areas when whales are detected, offers a proactive approach to mitigating risks to marine mammals. The collaborative efforts of residents, conservation organizations, and scientists aim to raise awareness and foster a sense of responsibility towards marine ecosystem preservation.