Update on the WhaleMap system for near real-time collation and dissemination of right whale survey data

Abstract

Many research, conservation, and risk-reduction actions for North Atlantic right whales rely on near real-time knowledge of whale distribution measured using visual surveys from vessels or planes and acoustic surveys from autonomous platforms. The rapid collation and dissemination of whale detections and survey effort is critical but challenging given the number and variety of survey organizations and methodologies at work along the east coast of the United States (US) and Canada. WhaleMap (available at whalemap.org) is an open-source software system developed to meet this need. It is designed to collate and display results from all marine mammal visual and real-time acoustic surveys on the east coast of the US as soon as data are made available. It then exchanges these data with an analogous platform in Canada, Whale Insight, to facilitate coast-wide display of survey coverage and whale detections. It also interfaces with crowd-source reporting tools, such as the Whale Alert app, to incorporate verified observations from the public. In addition to being displayed online, WhaleMap data can be distributed directly to regulators to inform management and are available for scientific and other purposes via request to the North Atlantic Right Whale Consortium (narwc.org). This presentation will give a brief overview of how WhaleMap works and will provide an update on data contributed over the last year – including the temporal and spatial distribution of sightings and effort – relative to previous years. We will conclude by presenting several system updates and potential areas for future development to improve coordination of right whale research and management activities.

Date
Event
North Atlantic Right Whale Consortium
Location
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
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