PELAKITA.ID – The North Atlantic right whale, one of the world’s most endangered large whale species, faces an uncertain future. With fewer than 350 individuals remaining, their survival is constantly threatened by human activity.
Among the greatest dangers are ship strikes, as these whales often swim close to the surface along heavily trafficked shipping lanes.
In response, Canada has adopted a pioneering approach that blends technology, science, and policy. Using autonomous underwater gliders and advanced buoys equipped with hydrophones, researchers can now detect whale vocalizations in real time.
Once detected, the data is transmitted instantly to scientists, government authorities, and shipping operators.
What makes this system so effective is the way it integrates into existing monitoring and navigation networks.
Instead of simply sending broad alerts to every vessel, Transport Canada uses the detection data to declare targeted speed restrictions or establish “slow zones” in high-risk areas. By slowing down, ships dramatically reduce the likelihood of deadly collisions, giving whales a greater chance of survival.
This initiative is further strengthened by complementary sustainable fishing practices designed to reduce entanglement risks. Together, these measures highlight how innovation can align with conservation. Canada’s whale detection project not only safeguards a keystone marine species but also demonstrates how modern technology can balance biodiversity protection with the demands of global shipping.
Source: Linkedin of Michael Fox, Managing Director and founder, Corporate Whisperer Ventures
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