A new whale detection network launches in SF Bay, alerting ships in real time
A new AI-powered detection network called WhaleSpotter has been launched in San Francisco Bay to help track whales and alert mariners. The system scans for whale blows and heat signatures, allowing ships to adjust their routes to avoid collisions. This initiative comes in response to a concerning increase in gray whale deaths due to ship strikes.
- ▪WhaleSpotter can detect whales up to 2 nautical miles away.
- ▪The system allows mariners to slow down or reroute before getting close to whales.
- ▪Last year, 21 dead gray whales were found in the Bay Area, the highest number in 25 years.
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A tanker and other vessels pass through the San Francisco Bay, Tuesday, May 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Annika Hammerschlag) By ANNIKA HAMMERSCHLAG Updated [hour]:[minute] [AMPM] [timezone], [monthFull] [day], [year] Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share (function () { const counter = document.getElementById("scrollToComments"); const HEADER_OFFSET = 120; function findCommentsModule() { return document.querySelector('.vf3-comments, #vf-conversations, [data-test="vf-conversations-root-element"]'); } function maybeShowCounter() { if (findCommentsModule()) { counter.style.display = "inline-flex"; } else { counter.style.display = "none"; } } // Show only when Viafoura is present maybeShowCounter(); // Watch DOM for late loads const…
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