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Technology System Aims to Protect Whales from Ships

时间:2022-10-09 06:05:32

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Technology System Aims to Protect Whales from Ships

Scientists have developed a technology-powered mapping tool to prevent ships from hitting whales in areas off America's west coast.

The system is called Whale Safe. It uses equipment placed in the ocean to identify the presence of whales in the surrounding area. The tool also records shipping1 activity and ship speeds. The collected data is then sent by satellite to scientists who examine it and seek to provide guidance to ship operators.

Developers of the system say it produces near real-time information about nearby whale movements.

Whale Safe has already been operating near ports in southern California. It was recently launched to the north in San Francisco Bay.

There is a problem in the bay with ships hitting whales. Last month, wildlife officials reported the latest suspected case. A humpback whale washed ashore2 in the San Francisco Bay with injuries suggesting the animal was killed in a ship strike.

The Marine3 Mammal Center near San Francisco said it was the fifth whale to be killed by a ship strike in the area this year. Wildlife officials note that the actual number of whales killed by ships is likely much higher because the bodies of the dead animals are rarely discovered.

Humpback whales visit California to feed in the summer and autumn before migrating south to reproduce off the coast of Mexico. They are among the world's most endangered whales. An estimated 35,000 to 40,000 remain in the wild. The Marine Mammal Center says the main threats facing humpback whales are strikes from ships and getting caught in fishing and waste equipment.

The Whale Safe system is designed to identify and protect several different species, including humpback, blue, fin4 and gray whales. It uses three methods to do so. First, it uses flotation devices – known as buoys5 – to record sounds the whales make. Second, it uses computer models to process current and historical ocean data to predict where the whales are most likely to be. Third, it permits trained observers and citizens to report whale sightings through a mobile app.

The Whale Safe project is supported by the Marine Mammal Center and the Benioff Ocean Science Laboratory at the University of California Santa Barbara. Other organizations and government agencies also cooperate on the project.

Developers of the system say the expansion of Whale Safe to San Francisco demonstrates that the system can be effectively deployed6 to additional areas of the United States and the world.

Officials from the Marine Mammal Center say they have plans to expand the system to other areas where whales face a high risk of being hit by ships. These areas include parts of the U.S. Eastern Seaboard. Worldwide, such areas include waters near Sri Lanka, Chile, Greece and Spain's Canary Islands.

Jeff Boehm is a leader of the Marine Mammal Center. He said the Whale Safe system combines the latest technology with thoughtful conservation efforts "to create a solution to reduce risk to whales." Boehm added, "This is where tech meets Mother Nature for the benefit of marine life."

Douglas McCauley is director of the Benioff Ocean Science Laboratory. He said in a statement that the killing7 of whales by ship strikes is "an avoidable problem."

"We can't any longer be passive observers of endangered whales washing ashore along San Francisco's beaches," McCauley said. He added, "Whale Safe is an exciting coming together of marine scientists, technologists, conservation organizations, business leaders and government partners to do something about this issue."

Words in This Story

app – n. a computer program that performs a special function, usually found on mobile phones

conservation – n. the protection of animals, plants, and natural resources

conservation – n. a helpful or good effect

passive – adj. letting things happen without taking specific actions


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1 shipping WESyg     
n.船运(发货,运输,乘船)
参考例句:
  • We struck a bargain with an American shipping firm.我们和一家美国船运公司谈成了一笔生意。
  • There's a shipping charge of £5 added to the price.价格之外另加五英镑运输费。
2 ashore tNQyT     
adv.在(向)岸上,上岸
参考例句:
  • The children got ashore before the tide came in.涨潮前,孩子们就上岸了。
  • He laid hold of the rope and pulled the boat ashore.他抓住绳子拉船靠岸。
3 marine 77Izo     
adj.海的;海生的;航海的;海事的;n.水兵
参考例句:
  • Marine creatures are those which live in the sea. 海洋生物是生存在海里的生物。
  • When the war broke out,he volunteered for the Marine Corps.战争爆发时,他自愿参加了海军陆战队。
4 fin qkexO     
n.鳍;(飞机的)安定翼
参考例句:
  • They swim using a small fin on their back.它们用背上的小鳍游动。
  • The aircraft has a long tail fin.那架飞机有一个长长的尾翼。
5 buoys fc4788789ca537c33a2d5ad4b7a567db     
n.浮标( buoy的名词复数 );航标;救生圈;救生衣v.使浮起( buoy的第三人称单数 );支持;为…设浮标;振奋…的精神
参考例句:
  • The channel is marked by buoys. 航道有浮标表示。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
  • Often they mark the path with buoys. 他们常常用浮标作为航道的标志。 来自辞典例句
6 deployed 4ceaf19fb3d0a70e329fcd3777bb05ea     
(尤指军事行动)使展开( deploy的过去式和过去分词 ); 施展; 部署; 有效地利用
参考例句:
  • Tanks have been deployed all along the front line. 沿整个前线已部署了坦克。
  • The artillery was deployed to bear on the fort. 火炮是对着那个碉堡部署的。
7 killing kpBziQ     
n.巨额利润;突然赚大钱,发大财
参考例句:
  • Investors are set to make a killing from the sell-off.投资者准备清仓以便大赚一笔。
  • Last week my brother made a killing on Wall Street.上个周我兄弟在华尔街赚了一大笔。

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