The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) and Conserve.IO have launched the mobile app Whale Alert in Europe. Users can report whale sightings through the app, allowing vessels to adjust their routes or speeds to reduce the risk of collisions with whales.
The free app, originally launched in North America in 2012, is now being introduced in European waters with the support of GREENOV.
Each year, more than two million ships sail through European waters. Shipping routes often overlap with migration paths, feeding grounds, and breeding areas of many whale species, putting them at risk of collisions that can cause serious injury or painful death.
‘Each year, countless whales fall victim to ship strikes. Experts warn that reported cases are just the tip of the iceberg. For every documented ship strike, an estimated twenty go unreported. Whale Alert provides a crucial missing link, empowering everyone at sea to help protect whales before it’s too late,’ says Zaan Olivier, Programme Manager at IFAW.
Also read: Increasing maritime traffic poses threat to Arctic whales
Protected areas and protection measures
The app now includes protected marine areas and marine mammal protection measures specific to Europe. A new indicator also estimates collision risk during navigation, based on vessel size, speed, and location. Users can also earn the status of “trusted observer” by submitting multiple relevant sightings and completing certification.
Damien Demoor, founder and CEO of GREENOV: ‘Whale Alert allows both ocean enthusiasts and maritime professionals to actively contribute to whale conservation, while also staying informed about current regulations before and during their voyage – including guidance on what to do and where to slow down if a whale has recently been spotted.’
Also read: Speed limit urged in Mediterranean to protect whales
Identify species
Thanks to the user-friendly interface, people can not only submit and view reports, but also identify the species observed. Recorded sightings are automatically sent to a central database used by biologists to gain insights into the presence, feeding habits, and migration patterns of various whale species.
‘Alerts work via the built-in GPS technology in smartphones and tablets. The application notifies users when they are near a whale, allowing them to adjust their course and speed to help avoid a collision. At the same time, it makes it easier to navigate a network of overlapping and changing protected zones and shipping routes,’ explains Virgil Zetterlind, co-founder of Conserve.IO.
The Whale Alert app is free to download from the Apple App Store and Google Play.
Picture: A blue whale breaching with cargo ship in background off the coast of Sri Lanka (photo by Christian Loader/IFAW).
Also read: WSC launches global navigational aid to protect whales
