It is a well-known fact that the footprint of humans in nature significantly threatens the future of both our planet and the creatures living in it. Scientists constantly emphasize that many living species may become extinct in the coming years if the necessary precautions are not taken. Marine ecosystems are also among those most affected.
In the past weeks, we shared with you that it was announced by experts that ocean life is on the verge of a massive mass extinction. In the statements made, it was underlined that carbon emissions should be brought under control. Scientists have now announced that they have implemented a new method to protect the future of a very important species living in these ecosystems.
Robots will be used to locate whales
It is thought that only about 300 of the ice whales living in the North Atlantic remain. Continuing their work for the protection of these creatures, the scientists stated that they aim to use the robotic systems that have entered our lives with the developing technology for this purpose.
Marine ecologist Mark Baumgartner has been using listening devices to record whales for many years. Now, Baumgartner’s lab has partnered with a shipping company for robotic buoys designed to deliver real-time location information of living whales to humans. The technology developed by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution can inform people about the areas where these mammal species are found; Thus, it was stated that events that could have fatal consequences (such as shipwreck) could be prevented.
Baumgartner said in his statements on the subject, “We have to change our industrial activities while whales are around. This is exactly what this technology provides.”
Whale populations worldwide continue to decline. Climate changes are pushing these creatures into warmer and denser waters to forage for food. Horrible breeding and mortality rates and uncontrolled human activities also cause the extinction of these species. Additionally, a report shared by the Associated Press shows that the number of North Atlantic ice whales the new instruments will examine has reached its lowest level in two decades.
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