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Just off the coast of Los Angeles, a group of blue whales have started to feed near the largest port in the United States. This creates an interesting sight for tourists and inhabitants of Los Angeles, but with all of the container ships going back and forth each day, the whales are in danger of getting hit and severely injured or even killed by the large boats.

These whales have been tracked by scientific research teams using GPS technology, and the scientists have determined that the whales travel along the Californian coast during the months between May and December. Because of the density of the blue whales, the area around the port has the largest concentration of blue whales along the coast.

These whales appear almost daily, and sightseers come from around the country to get an up close view of these beautiful creatures, but while the whales are enjoying all the food they can eat, they are travelling right in the path of hundreds of vessels each day.

The blue whale population along the West Coast is thought to be around 2,500 whales, but with these ships killing whales each year, the recovery and growth of this species is at risk. The blue whales are an endangered species, but it has been growing in population over the past few decades.

In 2007 alone, 4 blue whales were killed near Santa Barbara, and wildlife officials began monitoring the whales using GPS coordinates and air patrol. By monitoring the whales, wildlife officials can talk to freighters and let them know when they need to slow down. Scientists have been photographing and tagging these whales for the past two years, and interns and scientists use this information to track and monitor the activity of the whales.

By using the GPS technology, researchers can learn when and where the whales approach the surface and how long they dwell near the surface. With the GPS technology, scientists are trying to save the species, and have been able to determine the habits of the whales in order to change the activities and paths of the ships that pose a large threat to these whales.

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The number of blue whales near Los Angeles ports is growing rapidly and conservationists are worried for their safety.  The whales come to Los Angeles Harbor to feed on krill, a staple of the whale’s diet, from May to December.  Researchers are concerned as this is a high traffic area (to be expected at the largest port in the US) and the number of whales feeding in the harbor is “the area of densest concentration close to shore in all of California” according to researcher John Calambokidis.

Not surprisingly, sightseers are coming to witness this incredible sight.  “While this is a unique and exciting opportunity to have these animals out there, it also puts them at great risk,” said Calambokidis.  The krill feast happens to be right in the middle of a major shipping route, setting the whales up for disaster.

In 2007, four blue whales were killed when struck by ships off of the coast of Santa Barbara.  This prompted wildlife officials to begin seeking out the location of blue whales by air, noting their coordinates, and notifying ships traveling in the area of their location in the hopes that they will lower their speeds and avoid a collision with a whale.

Calambokidis believes the whales may meet a similar fate in the LA ports if proactive measures are not taken to protect them, and has led efforts to tag whales with GPS tracking devices.  How, exactly, does one approach tagging a huge whale?  Using an inflatable motorboat, researchers place a transmitter roughly the size of a shoe on the back of a whale using a long pole – this can be accomplished when the animal comes to the surface.  They GPS trackers are bright orange in color, which makes it easy for researchers to find the trackers when they fall off (most fall off twenty-four hours later).

The device tells researchers the exact coordinates of the whale, how deep it dives below the surface, and what it does when a ship approaches.  Researchers have learned that the whales spend a lot of time at the surface each night, making them easy targets in a dark sea, and that they do not appear to react when a ship approaches.  In fact, the whales appear to become curious and swim closer to check out the ships rather than flee from them.

The answer to this problem is not clear.  Those in the shipping industry propose changing shipping routes to avoid the areas the whales feed in, while conservationists are asking the Obama administration to enforce some form of speed limit in these areas.  What is clear: something must be done to protect this endangered species before it suffers to the of no return.

Article Written by Khristen Foss

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Although you may have heard someone compare someone or something that seemed to be laying around without moving as being akin to a ‘beached whale,’ you should know that this condition is actually fatal for whales.

Recently in Australia, authorities decided to use GPS satellite tracking technology to monitor eleven whales that survived this perilous condition. Of 64 whales that were part of a mass stranding last week, these eleven were the only ones that managed to survive and leave northwest Tasmania for the water. Scientist mounted an admirable rescue effort, so they would like to track the progress of the surviving whales.

Thanks to the GPS tracking units that were attached to the eleven survivors, the scientists now know that the whales, who were all part of the same group, managed to get back together. The GPS tracking units indicate that they whales are making good time and not faltering in their efforts to get back to sea. One spokesperson from the Department of Primary Industries and Water stated that This was the first time that GPS tracking technology was being used in this way in the southern hemisphere.

Just as scientists are able to pinpoint the exact the location of the whales because of GPS tracking devices, you can also use GPS tracking devices to pinpoint the location of a stranded employee or loved one. Or, a GPS tracking device could be used to pinpoint your exact location, should you happen to need some help.

You can rely on the hardware and GPS tracking devices sold by Rocky Mountain Tracking. GPS location and data retrieval is a high tech process, and although there are hundreds and hundreds of units on the market, many of them are not very reliable. Rocky Mountain Tracking rejects 98.2% of tracking units we test because they don’t hold up to our punishing 15 point quality check. When you need to find someone fast, you want to know that the tracking device you’ve purchased will get the job done. With Rocky Mountain Tracking, you not only get top of the line equipment, you also get continued customer service. We have worked with the police and emergency personnel to locate drivers who were in need of assistance.

Weather forecasters have said that the upcoming winter may be rather harsh. Using a GPS tracking device means that you will know how to locate the people who are most important to you should they get lost in a storm.

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