Hydrophone-based Ocean Wise alerts encompass orca-frequented San Juan Island waters

Ocean Wise has expanded the alerts within critical habitat for southern resident killer whales in collaboration with the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority (VFPA) and SMRU Consulting, a Green Marine partner.

The expansion integrates hydrophones off the coast of Lime Kiln Point State Park on Washington State’s San Juan Island – an area frequented by the endangered species. The data based on the recorded noise (calls and clicks) from the whales is provided to the Whale Report Alert System (WRAS), which automatically sends alerts to nearby large vessels to be on the lookout and slow down to avoid collisions.

Collaborating with VFPA and The Whale Museum, SMRU Consulting upgraded the existing hydrophone at Lime Kiln in 2016. Since the integration with the WRAS in June this year, the system has sent more than 100 real-time alerts – 44% issued after daylight when traditional methods of visual detection are less effective.

Ocean Wise first introduced hydrophones into the WRAS in April 2024 with the integration of the Boundary Pass listening station in collaboration with another Green Marine supporter, Transport Canada, and JASCO Applied Sciences, a Green Marine partner.

The WRAS is a key component of the Ocean Wise Sightings Network.