As federal officials investigate an alarming spike in whale deaths, many believed to be caused by ship strikes, scientists are hoping new programs on both coasts will keep more whales alive.
On the West Coast, the new system is called Whale Safe. It uses data from its specialized high-tech buoys, satellites and entries on a whale-watching app to predict the presence of whales in shipping lanes — warning the companies in near-real time so they can voluntarily slow down to 10 knots, a speed set by a federal agency shown to significantly reduce the risk of fatal collisions.
CBS News went off the coast of Santa Barbara, California, to learn more about the program for the “CBS Mornings” series “Protecting the Planet,” which explores environmental challenges and solutions in a changing climate.
The Santa Barbara Channel is a prime feeding ground for these massive and often endangered sea creatures.