Whale Report

The Ocean Wise Whale Report community is an application that aims to protect marine life by reducing vessel strikes. It allows users to report their whale sightings, access species identification guides, and learn about the impact of their contributions. The app also offers real-time alerts for professional mariners to help them avoid whale disturbances or ship strikes. In the latest update, the Whale Report and Whale Report Alert System have been merged into a single app, offering two key functionalities.

For coastal communities and individuals, the app allows them to report whale sightings and view community sightings with a 24-hour delay. This information can help with conservation efforts. Professional mariners can receive real-time alerts when users submit sightings, allowing them to slow down or change their route to avoid potential interactions with whales. The app also collects data on whale distribution and occurrence, which is used by researchers for further study.

The app offers additional features such as the ability to track submitted sightings, access marine mammal regulations and guidelines, and record sightings offline. For professional mariners, the Whale Report Alert System (WRAS) helps them reduce the risk of ship strikes and disturbances. They can receive real-time alerts about whale activity within 10 nautical miles and use this information to adjust their speed or route. The app also provides operational insights on recent whale activity in their area.

It is important to note that access to the WRAS is restricted to authorized vessels, such as ferries, tugs, cruise ships, and freighters. Recreational vessels and ecotourism operators are excluded to ensure the safety of whales. Users can register using their professional email address, and approval is typically granted within two business days.

The app would not be possible without the support of funders and donors, and the invaluable contributions of data collaborators such as OWSN observers, Orca Network, Conserve.IO, Acartia, JASCO, SMRU, Whale Spotter, and Whale Alert. Their efforts are essential to the network's mission of protecting whales from harm. With the Ocean Wise Whale Report community, anyone can make a difference in preserving marine life and reducing vessel strikes.