Protecting Georgia’s Gentle Giants:

How AIS Technology Can Help Save North Atlantic Right Whales

With fewer than 370 North Atlantic Right Whales remaining, including just 70 breeding females, this species is on the brink of extinction. Once abundant along the Atlantic coastline, these whales now face an uncertain future due to ship strikes, entanglements in fishing gear, and habitat loss.

Each winter, Right Whales migrate thousands of miles from the cold waters of Canada and New England to Georgia’s coast—the only known calving ground in the world. Here, mothers give birth and nurse their young, seeking the safety of coastal waters. However, these waters present their own dangers, with busy shipping lanes and high-speed vessels creating significant risks.

Ship Strikes: A Leading Cause of Right Whale Deaths

Ship strikes are one of the most serious threats to Right Whales. Because these whales swim slowly near the surface and lack a dorsal fin, they are difficult for vessel operators to see. Their dark bodies often blend with the ocean, making it challenging for ships to avoid them. Unfortunately, a single collision with a vessel can be fatal, particularly for pregnant females and newborn calves.

To address this, researchers and conservationists have been working to develop strategies that reduce the risk of collisions. One of the most promising solutions is the use of Automatic Identification System (AIS) technology to provide real-time alerts to mariners when whales are nearby.

How AIS Beacons Can Help Protect Right Whales

The Automatic Identification System (AIS) is a marine navigation tool that helps vessels track and communicate with each other in real time. By installing AIS beacons along Georgia’s coastline, alerts can be transmitted directly to ships and recreational boats whenever Right Whales are detected in the area.

These AIS stations provide real-time data, enabling vessels to:

• Detect whale movements early and adjust their speed accordingly.

• Reduce the likelihood of collisions by allowing ships to navigate more cautiously.

• Enhance conservation efforts by creating a connected network of monitoring systems along the whales’ migration route.

AIS beacons have been successfully used in other regions to reduce ship strikes and improve maritime awareness. While New England has a well-established network of AIS stations for whale conservation, Georgia’s waters remain largely unprotected. Expanding this technology to the Southeast could significantly increase Right Whale survival rates.

Georgia Conservancy’s Plan to Build an AIS Beacon Network

To help reduce ship strikes and protect Right Whales, efforts are underway to install seven AIS beacons along Georgia’s coastline. These stations will create a real-time warning system that alerts vessels when whales are present, allowing captains to take immediate action to prevent collisions.

Each beacon is designed to provide:

• Continuous monitoring of whale activity along Georgia’s coastal waters.

• Automatic alerts to ships navigating through Right Whale habitats.

• A scalable model that can be expanded to other key locations along the Eastern Seaboard.

By implementing this technology, Georgia will join other regions in using cutting-edge solutions to protect one of the world’s most endangered marine species.

Time Is Running Out—Act Now

Conservation efforts to protect the North Atlantic Right Whale require a combination of science, technology, and policy changes. AIS technology represents a significant advancement in preventing ship strikes, but it is just one piece of the puzzle. Other ongoing efforts include:

• Advocating for seasonal speed restrictions in critical whale habitats.

• Encouraging the adoption of ropeless fishing gear to prevent entanglements. Learn more.

• Expanding educational programs, such as the Go Slow, Whales Below marina signage campaign, to raise awareness among boaters. Learn more.

By integrating technology with policy and public awareness, Georgia is taking meaningful steps toward creating safer waters for Right Whales. While challenges remain, the use of AIS beacons offers a practical, science-backed solution that can help reduce preventable whale deaths and support population recovery.

As conservation efforts continue, Georgia’s coastal waters could become a model for how technology and environmental stewardship can work together to protect endangered wildlife.

Be a Champion for North Atlantic Right Whales

The North Atlantic Right Whale is Georgia’s official state marine mammal, but without immediate action, it may not survive the next decades.

Support the Right Whale AIS Beacon Network by investing in real solutions to prevent ship strikes, protect whale mothers and calves, and ensure these magnificent creatures continue to roam our waters. Donate today here!

Questions? Please reach out to Georgia Conservancy Coastal Director Courtney Reich at creich@georgiaconservancy.org