The Canadian Space Agency is harnessing satellite technology to monitor and protect endangered North Atlantic right whales in the country’s waters.
The agency said Tuesday it will lead a $5.3-million project funded by the federal government called smartWhales, which will use satellites to detect the presence of right whales and to predict the animals’ movements.
Canada is giving a total of $5.3 million over three years to five companies for a series of projects to help protect the endangered species.
One of the projects will involve a system that can rapidly provide location data and detect if the whales are approaching a ship.
Get daily National news
Fisheries Minister Bernadette Jordan says collecting satellite data about the movement of the whales is key to preventing collisions between whales and ships and to spot cases where the animals are caught in fishing gear – two of the leading causes of right whale deaths.
In October, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration estimated only 366 right whales were alive in January 2019, with fewer than 94 of them being females with the ability to breed.
- Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe talks trade at international conference
- Thieves cut hole in roof at Kelowna Curling Club in elaborate break-in, theft
- Calgary’s GlobalFest moving locations, leaving community in lurch
- Progress slows on Calgary housing strategy due to rezoning repeal, resource constraints
-
![]()
Canadian government short on rolling back international student permits, report reveals -
![]()
U.S., Russia interfering in Alberta separatist debate, report says -
![]()
Canadians can trust ChatGPT to handle personal data, federal privacy watchdog says after review -
![]()
Social media issues should be fixed before considering ban for youth: Canada’s privacy commissioner
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 26, 2021.
Comments
Want to discuss? Please read our Commenting Policy first.