AI cameras scan San Francisco Bay to help protect whales from ship strikes
A new AI-powered thermal camera network in San Francisco Bay detects gray whales to warn ships and prevent collisions, as climate-driven changes force whales to feed in increasingly dangerous waters. The project, involving the Benioff Ocean Science Laboratory and Marine Mammal Center, has already recorded 16 whales in 2026, down from 36 in 2025, amid a 55-year-low population." "article": "A network of AI-driven thermal cameras is now monitoring San Francisco Bay to protect gray whales from ship strikes, one of the leading causes of their deaths in the area. The system, developed by the Benioff Ocean Science Laboratory in collaboration with the Marine Mammal Center and the U.S. Coast Guard, uses WhaleSpotter cameras to detect whale blows via heat signatures, even in fog or darkness. Alerts are shared with boat captains through the Whale Safe website or Coast Guard radio calls, allowing them to adjust routes and reduce collision risks. Gray whales have increasingly used the bay as a feeding ground since around 2018, with scientists documenting 36 whales in 2025 and 16 so far in 2026. However, the bay is one of the busiest waterways in the U.S., putting the whales at high risk. In 2025, 21 gray whale deaths were recorded, with 40% showing evidence of boat strikes. The shift in whale behavior is linked to climate-driven changes in the Arctic, where reduced food availability has forced whales to stop and feed along their migration route. Douglas McCauley, director of the Benioff Ocean Science Laboratory, explained that whales now leave the Arctic with only half their usual energy reserves, making their migration more perilous. The species’ population has dropped to its lowest in 55 years, with only 12,000 to 13,000 whales remaining—about half of what it was a decade ago. The first two cameras were installed on Angel Island and the MV Lyra, a ferry operating between San Francisco and Vallejo. Sightings are confirmed by marine mammal specialists and mapped on Whale Safe, with real-time updates shared to help captains avoid whale-heavy areas. Kathi George, director of Cetacean Conservation Biology at the Marine Mammal Center, called the project a model for global ports, combining technology, science, and maritime safety to protect whales. The initiative aims to reduce vessel strikes while maintaining navigational safety, offering a potential solution for other high-traffic waterways facing similar threats to marine life.
A network of AI-driven thermal cameras is now monitoring San Francisco Bay to protect gray whales from ship strikes, one of the leading causes of their deaths in the area. The system, developed by the Benioff Ocean Science Laboratory in collaboration with the Marine Mammal Center and the U.S. Coast Guard, uses WhaleSpotter cameras to detect whale blows via heat signatures, even in fog or darkness. Alerts are shared with boat captains through the Whale Safe website or Coast Guard radio calls, allowing them to adjust routes and reduce collision risks. Gray whales have increasingly used the bay as a feeding ground since around 2018, with scientists documenting 36 whales in 2025 and 16 so far in 2026. However, the bay is one of the busiest waterways in the U.S., putting the whales at high risk. In 2025, 21 gray whale deaths were recorded, with 40% showing evidence of boat strikes. The shift in whale behavior is linked to climate-driven changes in the Arctic, where reduced food availability has forced whales to stop and feed along their migration route. Douglas McCauley, director of the Benioff Ocean Science Laboratory, explained that whales now leave the Arctic with only half their usual energy reserves, making their migration more perilous. The species’ population has dropped to its lowest in 55 years, with only 12,000 to 13,000 whales remaining—about half of what it was a decade ago. The first two cameras were installed on Angel Island and the MV Lyra, a ferry operating between San Francisco and Vallejo. Sightings are confirmed by marine mammal specialists and mapped on Whale Safe, with real-time updates shared to help captains avoid whale-heavy areas. Kathi George, director of Cetacean Conservation Biology at the Marine Mammal Center, called the project a model for global ports, combining technology, science, and maritime safety to protect whales. The initiative aims to reduce vessel strikes while maintaining navigational safety, offering a potential solution for other high-traffic waterways facing similar threats to marine life.
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