Dense Maritime Traffic and Whale Conservation

Maritime traffic poses a significant threat to whales, with collisions being a common occurrence. However, there is a simple solution that citizens can actively participate in to help protect these majestic creatures – the Whale Alert mobile app, now available in Europe.

The Impact of Maritime Traffic on Whales

European waters see over two million marine vessels passing through each year. Unfortunately, shipping lanes often intersect with the migratory routes, feeding grounds, and breeding areas of many whale species. This overlap puts whales at risk of collisions, which can result in severe injuries and even fatalities.

Introducing Whale Alert

Developed by the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) and Conserve IO, Whale Alert is a mobile app that empowers users to report, notify, and track whale sightings to authorities and shipping vessels. By doing so, the app helps minimize the risk of collisions and contributes to whale conservation efforts.

Thanks to a new partnership with GREENOV, Whale Alert is now available in European waters. The latest version, 4.0, includes enhanced features tailored to the region. Users can access information on European marine protected areas and marine mammal measures, as well as an integrated collision risk indicator that takes into account vessel size, speed, and location.

How Whale Alert Works

Whale Alert offers a user-friendly interface that allows both the general public and maritime professionals to report whale sightings and receive alerts. Users can also identify the species of whales observed, which is crucial for conservation efforts.

Reported sightings are automatically sent to a central database, where cetacean biologists analyze the data to gain insights into whale presence, feeding behaviors, and migration patterns. This information is invaluable for better understanding and protecting whale populations.

Get Involved

The Whale Alert mobile app is free and available for download on the Apple App Store and Google Play. By using the app and reporting whale sightings, individuals can actively contribute to whale conservation and help reduce the risk of collisions in European waters.

Join the movement to protect whales and make a difference with just a click on your phone. Together, we can ensure a safer and healthier future for these magnificent marine mammals.