Scripps News: Protecting Whales from Cargo Ships
- Behavior
- Species conservation
- Population monitoring
An academic research lab is using artificial intelligence to keep whales and ships away from each other.
Published in Scripps News: January 30, 2024
In this episode of Scripps Tech, Phil Torres goes for a swim in the Pacific Ocean as endangered whales face a dangerous reality: They are on a collision course with speeding cargo ships.
Go on the journey with Phil as he tags along with a crew from Whale Safe, which uses artificial intelligence to keep whales and ships apart.
The greatest threats to marine mammals are caused by people, but we can also be their greatest champions.
Sign up for email from The Marine Mammal Center to stay updated on how you can support solutions and be an advocate and champion for marine mammals.
{"image":"\/Animals\/Wild\/Humpback whale\/cropped-images\/whale-tail-with-bridge-and-ships-shutterstock-3-7-4898-3826-1663722256.jpg","alt":"whale tails visible above water under the Golden Gate Bridge with shipping traffic in the distance","title":"Whale Safe \u2013 an AI-enabled System to Prevent Ship Collisions with Whales \u2013 to Launch off the San Francisco Coastline","link_url":"https:\/\/www.marinemammalcenter.org\/news\/whale-safe-to-launch-off-the-san-francisco-coastline","label":"Press Release","date":"2022-09-21 04:00:00","type":"news"}
Whale Safe – an AI-enabled System to Prevent Ship Collisions with Whales – to Launch off the San Francisco Coastline
September 21, 2022
Read More{"image":"\/Animals\/Wild\/Other species\/cropped-images\/leaping-dolphin-container-ship-shutterstock-4-0-2560-2000-1672429328.jpg","alt":"dolphin leaping in front of a giant container ship","title":"ZEIT Online: How to Save a Whale","link_url":"https:\/\/www.marinemammalcenter.org\/news\/zeit-online-how-to-save-a-whale","label":"In the News","date":"2022-12-30 01:00:00","type":"news"}
{"image":"\/Animals\/Wild\/Humpback whale\/cropped-images\/two-whales-under-golden-gate-bridge-shutterstock-646-1-3946-3083-1663782644.jpg","alt":"two whales surfacing below the Golden Gate Bridge","title":"New York Times: New System Aims to Save Whales Near San Francisco From Ship Collisions","link_url":"https:\/\/www.marinemammalcenter.org\/news\/new-york-times-new-system-aims-to-save-whales-near-san-francisco-from-ship-collisions","label":"In the News","date":"2022-09-21 02:00:00","type":"news"}
New York Times: New System Aims to Save Whales Near San Francisco From Ship Collisions
September 21, 2022
Read More{"image":"\/Animals\/Wild\/Gray whale\/cropped-images\/gray-whale-san-francisco-bay-with-ship-by-bill-keener-c-the-marine-mammal-center-22-3-1925-1504-1670545385.jpg","alt":"whale tail above the water with a ship in the distance","title":"NBC: Cruises & Cargo Ships Regularly Break Voluntary Speed Limit Aimed at Protecting Endangered Whales","link_url":"https:\/\/www.marinemammalcenter.org\/news\/nbc-cruises-cargo-ships-regularly-break-voluntary-speed-limit-aimed-at-protecting-endangered-whales","label":"In the News","date":"2022-12-05 09:26:58","type":"news"}
NBC: Cruises & Cargo Ships Regularly Break Voluntary Speed Limit Aimed at Protecting Endangered Whales
December 5, 2022
Read MoreLearn More About Our Work Saving Whales
Yes, I want to save a life!
Yes, I want to save a life!
You’ll be giving sick and injured animals the best possible care at the Center’s state-of-the-art hospital. With your gift today, you are giving a patient a second chance at life in the wild.
See Our Latest News
{"image":"\/Animals\/Patients\/Elephant seals\/2025\/cropped-images\/elefante-es-photo-by-bill-hunnewell-104-0-1270-992-1767832647.jpg","alt":"Elefante \u2013 Northern elephant seal","title":"Rescue Stories: Vote for Your Favorite Marine Mammal Patient of 2025!","link_url":"https:\/\/www.marinemammalcenter.org\/news\/rescue-stories-vote-for-your-favorite-marine-mammal-patient-of-2025","label":"News Update","date":"2026-01-16 10:05:08"}
Rescue Stories: Vote for Your Favorite Marine Mammal Patient of 2025!
January 16, 2026
Read More{"image":"\/People\/Action\/Veterinary care\/cropped-images\/Harris_Green turtle_TMMC-0-0-1270-992-1767649941.jpg","alt":"Heather Harris","title":"Seattle Aquarium Awards Dr. Heather Harris With Prestigious Conservation Research Award","link_url":"https:\/\/www.marinemammalcenter.org\/news\/seattle-aquarium-awards-dr-heather-harris-with-prestigious-conservation-research-award","label":"In the News","date":"2026-01-05 04:48:00"}
Seattle Aquarium Awards Dr. Heather Harris With Prestigious Conservation Research Award
January 5, 2026
Read More{"image":"\/People\/Action\/Veterinary care\/cropped-images\/harris-teaching-tube-feeding-0-0-1270-992-1767650122.jpg","alt":"A veterinarian and two trained volunteers tube feed an elephant seal pup.","title":"Training College Students in Marine Mammal Health","link_url":"https:\/\/www.marinemammalcenter.org\/news\/training-college-students-in-marine-mammal-health","label":"News Update","date":"2026-01-05 04:48:00"}
{"image":"\/Animals\/Patients\/Harbor seals\/2013\/cropped-images\/hs-bogey-photo-by-Ingrid-Overgard-c-the-marine-mammal-center-382-0-2914-2276-1605061447.jpg","alt":"harbor seal Bogey","title":"Top Eco Friendly Valentine\u2019s Day Gifts","link_url":"https:\/\/www.marinemammalcenter.org\/news\/top-eco-friendly-valentines-day-gifts","label":"News Update","date":"2026-01-01 01:00:00"}
