A new artificial intelligence technology that detects orca sounds underwater could help to protect endangered southern resident killer whales in the Salish Sea. The technology recognizes orca calls and sends real-time alerts to marine-mammal managers, who can use the information to try to prevent harmful collisions between whales and vessels. The new alert system is a collaboration between Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Google and California-based non-profit Rainforest Connection. The technology works by picking up signals from dozens of underwater listening stations concentrated in the southern resident killer whales’ critical habitat.
