WhaleMap
WhaleMap is an open-source software system that was designed to collate and disseminate the latest right whale observations and survey results in near real-time to inform more effective, dynamic planning of research and conservation activities. It ingests data from the repositories of a number of different survey groups, converts the data to common format, and makes it available for online display so that shortly after their planes land, boats tie up, or autonomous vehicles call home, the survey results will publicly available. The online display, as well as additional information on the system, is available at https://whalemap.org. These are preliminary data that are subject to change.
Data access requests for WhaleMap displayed data are limited and require additional permissions from data contributors. More information on the development of this WhaleMap is available via this publication,
Please note:
Displays of whale sighting locations do not represent where whales are present; the locations are obsolete within minutes because whales swim continuously. Sighting locations are also limited to where an observer was present when a whale came to the surface. This coincidence is exceedingly rare because observers are present in only a very small fraction of whale habitat for very limited periods of time. And even dedicated marine mammal surveys conducted in ideal weather conditions are likely to miss whales because whales spend most of their time out of sight below the ocean surface.
Statistical models can provide a more informative map of whale presence in an area by taking into account observer effort, weather conditions, and whale dive times. Models can also evaluate correlations between whale sighting locations and environmental factors, and use identified relationships to predict whale presence in areas or during times with no observer effort. NOAA uses this Duke model of right whale seasonal densities along the US East Coast to develop plans to reduce entanglement and vessel collision risks.
Data access requests for WhaleMap displayed data are limited and require additional permissions from data contributors. More information on the development of this WhaleMap is available via this publication,
Please note:
Displays of whale sighting locations do not represent where whales are present; the locations are obsolete within minutes because whales swim continuously. Sighting locations are also limited to where an observer was present when a whale came to the surface. This coincidence is exceedingly rare because observers are present in only a very small fraction of whale habitat for very limited periods of time. And even dedicated marine mammal surveys conducted in ideal weather conditions are likely to miss whales because whales spend most of their time out of sight below the ocean surface.
Statistical models can provide a more informative map of whale presence in an area by taking into account observer effort, weather conditions, and whale dive times. Models can also evaluate correlations between whale sighting locations and environmental factors, and use identified relationships to predict whale presence in areas or during times with no observer effort. NOAA uses this Duke model of right whale seasonal densities along the US East Coast to develop plans to reduce entanglement and vessel collision risks.