Whales

Whales play a vital role in maintaining a healthy and resilient ocean. Where we see healthy and abundant whales we will find a healthy ecosystem

Sentinels of the Sea

Building on 30 years of conservation-based research, the Whales Initiative helps protect and conserve cetacean (whale, dolphin or porpoise) populations. We do this by finding ways to minimize the negative effects of human activities, such as commercial fishing and shipping, on their ability to communicate, navigate, forage, and reproduce. The initiative uses research, monitoring, education, and conservation tools to provide important information to decision makers. Focusing on key threats such as habitat quality, prey availability, genetic fitness, contaminants, and underwater noise. We work in collaboration with other organizations and much of the field and laboratory work is funded by the Wild Killer Whale Adoption Program.

Megafauna like whales appear so strong and resilient, but the truth is they are vulnerable to human impacts. People can help create quieter waters that enhance echolocation capabilities by reporting sightings to the Ocean Wise Sightings Network via the WhaleReport app

Jessica Scott

Ocean Wise

Our Work

Sightings Network

Through Ocean Wise’s Cetacean Sighting Network you can contribute to conservation-based research by submitting sightings of cetaceans (whales, dolphins, and porpoises) and sea turtles in and around northern Washington, British Columbia (B.C.), and southeast Alaskan waters.

Research

Ocean Wise's whales team conducts research using cutting-edge monitoring techniques, including aerial-based photogrammetry and environmental DNA (eDNA), to monitor at-risk whale, dolphin, and porpoise populations. Learn more about the work they are conducting.

Ocean Pollution

Ocean Wise's PollutionTracker monitors hundreds of chemicals of concern in marine sediment and mussels which have negative toxic effects on marine life, including the iconic killer whales which are known to be among the most PCB-contaminated marine mammals in the world.