BC Ferries installs thermal imaging cameras to monitor threatened whales

B.C. scientists are trying to get a better lookat one of the South Coast's most threatened marine mammalsusing thermal imaging cameras installed offGaliano Island, B.C.

The cameras were installed at the Sturdies Bay terminalin Juneandare part of a year-long pilot project aimed at improving detection of southern resident killer whales in the heavily traffickedSalish Sea.

In a written statement, BC Ferries said federal scientists are trying to determine if the use of thermal imagery together with visual and acoustic surveillanceis a reliable way to detect whales in the Salish Sea which is used by commercialshipsand supports severalpassenger ferry routes

The cameras are able to "see"whalesby detecting temperature differences between marine mammals, ships and the surrounding water, even at night.

Hydrophonesmonitor noise

Monitoring of marine life is not new.

In November last year, the federal transport ministry installed hydrophonesat Boundary Pass near Saturna Island, also with the goal of monitoring the whales' habitat to improve killer whale hunting and survival outcomes.

The hydrophones were installed specifically to detect noise levels the whales are subjected to by passing ships.

According to BC Ferries,if the new thermal imaging cameras aresuccessful, they could alert ships to the presence ofthe endangered local orcasin narrow shippinglanesand could helppilots make real-time decisions to slow down or avoid areas when whales are present.

BC Ferries has taken part in thePort of Vancouver Enhancing Cetacean Habitat and Observation (ECHO) program since 2014. The ECHO program aims to better understand and manage the impact of shipping activities on at-risk whales in the region.