How to Support the BRIDGE Initiative

Partner with us Building Relationships & Information for Data-sharing, Guidance & Education to reduce negative human impacts on large whales.

Help Guide the Initiative

We need your input to understand your constituency, your priorities and your biggest challenges.

Spread the Word

Do you have colleagues or know organizations who share our mission or have resources they could contribute? Please introduce us!

Share Content for Our Outreach Campaign

We want to showcase ongoing research projects, technological innovations and provide a resource library of shareable and engaging content for boaters and the public.

Become a trusted partner and help us build a scalable network that reduces ship strikes.

 The Whale Alert BRIDGE Initiative expands the proven Whale Alert platform to connect stakeholders who share responsibility for reducing vessel–whale collisions.

By linking whale presence data, vessel operations, research, and management, our partners can bridge the data and knowledge gaps that increase negative whale / vessel interactions. Together, we will:

  • Share near real-time information securely and efficiently.

  • Develop shared technical standards.

  • Turn fragmented datasets into actionable tools.

Tell us how we can serve you better

Share your priorities, challenges and requirements. Together we’ll build a community of partners and a platform of actionable intelligence.

Complete the survey to get started

We're building the new Whale Alert Risk Reduction portal for you, your stakeholders, and the whales.

Commercial Shipping & Vessel Operators

Your mission: Maintaining safe, efficient operations while reducing the risk of whale strikes.

Your challenge: Real-time risk awareness and consistent rules.

We are developing:

  • Real-time estimated whale-risk APIs for ECDIS and routing software.

  • Speed-management and risk-analysis tools.

  • A neutral forum for co-developing practical solutions.

Regulatory & Government Agencies

Your mission: Enforce science-based protections and track compliance.

Your challenge: Data fragmentation and limited visibility.

What we’re working on:

  • Shared inter-organizational data standards.

  • Unified dashboards for vessel and whale activity.

  • Secure collaboration frameworks for coordinated response.

Conservation, Research & Academic Partners

Your mission: Advance whale science and influence policy.

Your challenge: Surveys are costly, data might be misused.

What we’re working on:

  • Open APIs connecting survey data systems, whale, vessel, and environmental data.

  • Data-trust frameworks managing attribution and ownership.

  • A global channel to share your insights with mariners and agencies.

  • Tools to control and share your data in your way.
    Port Authorities & Maritime Traffic Services

    Your mission: Keep traffic safe while supporting marine protection mandates.

    Your challenge: No easy way to factor whale presence into routing, and mariners lacking information.

    What we’re working on:

    • Whale-risk overlays for port traffic systems.

    • Dynamic speed advisories based on whale data.

      Navigation Tech & Shipbuilders

      Your mission: Build navigation systems that enhance environmental safety.

      Your challenge: Lack of standardized, reliable whale-risk data.

      What we’re working on:

      • API access to live whale-presence layers.

      • Opportunities to co-design onboard alert systems.

      • Pilot partnerships to field-test innovations.

      Recreational Boaters & Tour Operators

      Your mission: Operate responsibly, protect your vessel and passengers, and educate others.

      Your challenge: Accessing up-to-date guidance at sea.

      What we’re working on:

      • Enhanced Whale Alert mobile tools.

      • Simplified compliance with regional whale-safe guidelines.

      • Improved contribution pathways for citizen reporting.

        Technology Companies Developing Novel Solutions for Whale Detection

        Your mission: Automate whale detection via new technologies and sensor modalities

        Your challenge: Once detections are made, how can they be shared to the appropriate audiences on the appropriate timescales to reduce risk

        Whale Alert provides:

        • Direct integration into science, management, and vessel alert systems — so every detection contributes to whale safety.
          Citizen Science & Volunteer Whale Watch Networks

          Your mission: Help collect, share, and validate real-time whale sighting data to protect whales.

          Your challenge: Data from the field is often hard to standardize, share, or verify across platforms.

          Whale Alert provides:

          • A unified reporting framework built on Whale Alert’s proven citizen science tools.

          • Training and technical guidance to improve data quality and usability.

          • Direct integration into science, management, and vessel alert systems — so every verified sighting contributes to whale safety.

          • We’re expanding our network of Trusted Observers. Contact us for more information.

            Take the first step

            Complete our survey to share more about yourself and your organization, so that together, we can get actionable information to mariners to reduce whale strikes.

            Complete the Survey to Get Started

            Photo: NOAA Fisheries / Christin Khan / MMPA Permit #17355