New AI Technology Tracks Whales in Real Time to Help Ships Avoid Deadly Collisions

A new AI-driven whale detection network called WhaleSpotter began operating in the San Francisco Bay this week, aiming to reduce collisions between ships and gray whales. The system uses thermal imaging cameras and artificial intelligence to monitor whale activity 24/7, detecting blows and heat signatures up to 2 nautical miles away. Alerts are sent to ferry operators, cargo ships, and vessel traffic controllers after verification by trained marine mammal observers, with warnings broadcast via marine radio and posted on the Whale Safe website. The project combines land-based and vessel-mounted monitoring systems, marking the first setup in the Bay to directly link whale detections with mariner alerts in near real time. Thomas Hall, director of operations for San Francisco Bay Ferry, said the system will also help track whale movements over time, allowing for adjusted shipping routes during peak whale season. Gray whale deaths in the Bay Area surged last year, with 21 carcasses recovered—the highest total in 25 years—and at least 40% of those deaths attributed to ship strikes. This year, 10 more whales have already died, though researchers believe many more go unreported as carcasses often sink or drift away. The eastern North Pacific gray whale population has declined by roughly half over the past decade, with only about 13,000 whales remaining, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Scientists link the shift in whale behavior to climate change, including prolonged marine heat waves disrupting krill and fish populations. Gray whales are now entering the Bay in weaker condition due to food shortages in Arctic feeding grounds, making them more vulnerable during migration. Meanwhile, humpback whales are also moving closer to shore as they follow prey into coastal waters. The overlap between whale gatherings and heavy shipping traffic—particularly between Angel Island, Alcatraz Island, and Treasure Island—poses significant risks. Rachel Rhodes, a project scientist at the Benioff Ocean Science Laboratory, described the area as 'the worst place possible' for whale-ship interactions. Researchers hope WhaleSpotter will mitigate these dangers by providing timely alerts and enabling better route planning.