Floating Device Deployed off Chile to Protect Whales from Ships
2022-10-23
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1A device floating in waters off the coast of southern Chile aims to collect data on nearby whales to protect them from passing ships.
2The first electronic buoy was recently placed in the sea in the Gulf of Corcovado, about 1,100 kilometers from the capital, Santiago.
3The device is designed to listen to the sounds whales make when they communicate with each other.
4The animals use sound to map their movements and to hunt.
5The sounds are processed by artificial intelligence (AI)-powered computer systems in an effort to identify where the animals are.
6This information is then sent to shipping operators to help them avoid crashing into whales.
7A non-profit organization called the Blue Boat Initiative put the buoy in place.
8The group seeks to develop and deploy technology tools to provide a warning system for shipping companies.
9In addition to helping protect whales, the "smart" buoy also collects data on the health of the ocean and the effects of climate change.
10The group plans to place a series of buoys along the path whales take on trips from Antarctica to the equator.
11The Gulf of Corcovado is rich in sea life, including a large number of blue whales, as well as sei and Southern right whales.
12All these whales are listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act.
13The area's whale population is largest during the summer season in the Southern Hemisphere.
14In 2008, Chile banned whaling activities, including whaling for scientific purposes.
15The country has established a number of protected areas for whales and other endangered species.
16"This is the beginning of a longer road," said Sonia Espanol, director of the Blue Boat Initiative.
17She noted that her team plans to cover the gulf with at least six buoys.
18"The idea is to be able to cover the entire migratory route of the whales from Antarctica to the equator," Espanol said.
19The buoy works by using software called Listening to the Deep Ocean Environment (LIDO).
20The device continuously monitors ocean sounds.
21It uses AI to identify the kind of whales and where they are in real time.
22It then sends messages to nearby ships so they can reduce noise levels and try to avoid crashes.
23The buoys also contain sensors to measure water temperatures, oxygen levels and more to predict ocean health and the effects of climate change.
24That information is expected to be used to help guide public environmental policies.
25In the United States, scientists recently deployed a similar whale warning system off America's west coast.
26That system, called Whale Safe, also uses buoys to identify the presence of whales.
27I'm Bryan Lynn.
1A device floating in waters off the coast of southern Chile aims to collect data on nearby whales to protect them from passing ships. 2The first electronic buoy was recently placed in the sea in the Gulf of Corcovado, about 1,100 kilometers from the capital, Santiago. 3The device is designed to listen to the sounds whales make when they communicate with each other. The animals use sound to map their movements and to hunt. 4The sounds are processed by artificial intelligence (AI)-powered computer systems in an effort to identify where the animals are. This information is then sent to shipping operators to help them avoid crashing into whales. 5A non-profit organization called the Blue Boat Initiative put the buoy in place. The group seeks to develop and deploy technology tools to provide a warning system for shipping companies. In addition to helping protect whales, the "smart" buoy also collects data on the health of the ocean and the effects of climate change. 6The group plans to place a series of buoys along the path whales take on trips from Antarctica to the equator. The Gulf of Corcovado is rich in sea life, including a large number of blue whales, as well as sei and Southern right whales. All these whales are listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act. The area's whale population is largest during the summer season in the Southern Hemisphere. 7In 2008, Chile banned whaling activities, including whaling for scientific purposes. The country has established a number of protected areas for whales and other endangered species. 8"This is the beginning of a longer road," said Sonia Espanol, director of the Blue Boat Initiative. She noted that her team plans to cover the gulf with at least six buoys. "The idea is to be able to cover the entire migratory route of the whales from Antarctica to the equator," Espanol said. 9The buoy works by using software called Listening to the Deep Ocean Environment (LIDO). The device continuously monitors ocean sounds. It uses AI to identify the kind of whales and where they are in real time. It then sends messages to nearby ships so they can reduce noise levels and try to avoid crashes. 10The buoys also contain sensors to measure water temperatures, oxygen levels and more to predict ocean health and the effects of climate change. That information is expected to be used to help guide public environmental policies. 11In the United States, scientists recently deployed a similar whale warning system off America's west coast. That system, called Whale Safe, also uses buoys to identify the presence of whales. 12I'm Bryan Lynn. 13Reuters reported this story. Bryan Lynn adapted the report for VOA Learning English. 14____________________________________________________________________ 15Words in This Story 16buoy - n. a floating object used in water to mark dangerous areas for boats 17artificial intelligence - n. the development of computer systems with the ability to perform work that normally requires human intelligence 18species - n. a group of animals or plants that are similar and can produce young animals or plants 19route -n. the way that something or someone regularly travels along 20monitor - v. watch something carefully and record the results 21_______________________________________________________________________ 22What do you think of this story? We want to hear from you. We have a new comment system. Here is how it works: 23Each time you return to comment on the Learning English site, you can use your account and see your comments and replies to them. Our comment policy is here.