The new Whale Detection Cameras (WDC) developed by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) are designed to enhance marine wildlife protection by reducing vessel strikes on whales.
The ship-mounted camera systems utilize thermal imaging technology to detect whales’ bodies or exhalations in real time, alerting ship crews within seconds about their presence. This capability allows vessels to change course or slow down, significantly reducing the risk of fatal collisions.
Vessel strikes account for an estimated 20,000 whale deaths globally each year, with approximately 80 endangered and threatened whales struck annually off the U.S. West Coast.
The WDC system provides timely alerts, ensuring crews receive accurate notifications while minimizing false alarms. Its artificial intelligence filters out thermal signatures from boats, birds, and waves, focusing solely on indications of whale activity, WHOI explains.
According to WHOI, since the deployment of the WDC system on the vessel Manulani, it has recorded 1,169 verified detections of whales and dolphins within a range of 6,500 meters (3.5 nautical miles).
