AI-powered sensing systems, thermal cameras, and real-time AIS alerts integrated to detect whales and relay vital location data directly to boat operators.
Technology from leaders like Garmin enables automatic alert delivery to onboard chartplotters.
The goal: test and refine scalable whale-protection tools in real-world conditions along the East Coast migration corridor.
As NOAA’s proposed speed limit regulation stalled, the marine industry—led by WAVS—has shifted toward “conservation through innovation.” This initiative reflects a unified effort to harness tech for practical, real-time whale safety solutions.
At MotionInfo, we’re aligned with this forward-looking approach. Our StationKeeper units, paired with the A.W.A.R.E. messaging network, already transform static observatories—like lighthouses—into active conservation hubs. They deliver real-time AIS alerts to vessels near North Atlantic Right Whale habitats.
Our vision and WAVS's efforts share a key ethos: leveraging technology, not regulation, to facilitate coexistence between maritime operations and marine life. Whether through mobile platforms or land-based systems, the message is clear—the future of whale protection lies in smart, adaptive, and collaborative innovation.
Sources & Further Reading
Soundings Online. Whale Detection Technology to Be Revealed at American Boating Congress. May 10, 2024. https://soundingsonline.com/news/whale-detection-technology-to-be-revealed-at-american-boating-congress
The Fisherman. WAVS Taskforce Showcases Research Vessel at ABC Event. May 14, 2024. https://www.thefisherman.com/article/wavs-taskforce-showcases-research-vessel-at-abc-event
Anglers Journal. WAVS Taskforce Showcases Research Vessel. May 2024. https://anglersjournal.com/advocacy/wavs-taskforce-showcases-research-vessel