Citizen Science: Contributing Whale and Trash Sightings
Since 2023, FarSounder customers have been engaging in citizen-led science simply by using their Argos Forward Looking Sonar systems and sharing data with very little effort. There are multiple features in which users can participate in global marine initiatives through contributing bathymetric data they collect and reporting whale and trash sightings.
Users are able opt-in to the Data Sharing Program and anonymously share the vessel’s stored seafloor data. The Local History Map (LHM) they build is shared with global ocean mapping initiatives like the IHO’s crowd sourced bathymetry database and Seabed 2030. With the latest Sonasoft Software release, we’re expanding the citizen-science efforts by inviting users to play an even greater role in safeguarding marine environments through reporting whale and trash observations.
Like sharing LHM data, users can opt-in to anonymously share sightings of whales, floating debris, or other hazards with a simple input added to their user interface. These updates are about more than just data collection; they’re about fostering a sense of shared responsibility for our oceans. Every observation logged is a step toward cleaner waters, safer navigation, and healthier ecosystems. Our customers are not only improving safety at sea but also contributing to a larger mission to protect the planet.
Each observation is automatically timestamped and geotagged, ensuring accuracy and reliability. If the user opts-in, when the system is connected to the internet, these logs are synced with FarSounder’s database. The data is then processed and anonymized before being shared with trusted partner organizations that can put the information to good use.
FarSounder’s Interface display box to log observations.
Trash observations will be forwarded to Eyesea, a nonprofit dedicated to combating maritime pollution. Eyesea uses these reports to identify and address pollution hotspots, empowering communities and organizations to take targeted action against marine debris.
Whale sightings will be shared with Whale Alert and OceanWise, two leading organizations focused on protecting marine mammals and mitigating the risks of ship strikes.
The process itself is straightforward yet impactful. The same technology that helps ships navigate safely through unknown waters is now enabling them to protect those waters and the ecosystems within them. With this new feature, anyone onboard a vessel equipped with an Argos Forward Looking Sonar can contribute valuable observations with little effort but have a strong impact on the environment around them.
