New system maps and charts West Coast fisheries data to inform decisions on ocean uses
NOAA Fisheries
Published: 5 May 2026
A new integrated system combines decades of state and federal fisheries statistics into interactive maps showing West Coast fishing effort, catch value, and how fisheries may be affected by other ocean uses.
Keywords: fisheries data, West Coast, marine spatial planning, ocean mapping, Pacific fisheries, GIS, marine management
New AI system uses thermal cameras to steer ships clear of gray whales in San Francisco Bay
University of California, Santa Barbara
Published: 19 May 2026
UC Santa Barbara's Benioff Ocean Science Laboratory unveiled a real-time whale detection system using thermal cameras and AI that can spot gray whale blows at up to four nautical miles, alerting mariners to reroute or slow down to prevent ship strikes.
Keywords: gray whales, artificial intelligence, thermal cameras, ship strikes, San Francisco Bay, whale detection, marine conservation
Thresher sharks to headline first-ever UK waters study
University of Exeter
Published: 2 June 2026
University of Exeter scientists launch the first-ever study of common thresher sharks in UK waters, using satellite tags off the Isle of Wight to investigate their seasonal movements and whether the area serves as a pupping ground for this endangered species.
Keywords: thresher sharks, UK waters, Isle of Wight, satellite tagging, marine biology, shark conservation, Alopias vulpinus
