Many thanks to Jim Hoffman, Executive Director for the Museum of Coastal Carolina and Ingram Planetarium, for sharing this information about their new conservation and education venture. North Atlantic Right Whales are some of the most endangered whales on the planet. This program gives scientists hope that we can bring them back from the brink of extinction.
Shared by Jim Hoffman, Museum of Coastal Carolina and Ingram Planetarium, Ocean Isle Beach, NC
The Museum of Coastal Carolina is taking action to protect one of the world’s most endangered marine species — the North Atlantic Right Whale. With only about 350 individuals remaining, this massive yet vulnerable species faces mounting threats, particularly from collisions with fast-moving vessels along the eastern seaboard.
To help address this challenge, the Museum has partnered with MotionInfo of Orleans, Massachusetts, and The GPS Store in Ocean Isle Beach to install new Automatic Identification System (AIS) technology that can reach more than 20 miles out into the Atlantic Ocean. This system detects vessels traveling faster than 10 knots and broadcasts messages urging captains to reduce speed — a simple but vital step in preventing deadly strikes.
Visitors can now learn about this cutting-edge conservation effort firsthand in the Museum’s Seashore Gallery, where a new exhibit demonstrates how AIS equipment works and how it’s being used to protect migrating whales. The display also features the innovative StationKeeper device, which links monitoring and broadcast systems. Future developments aim to integrate whale tracking with vessel tracking for even greater protection.
“The North Atlantic Right Whale is a massive animal—up to 50 feet long and 140,000 pounds,” said Jamie Justice, the Museum’s Director of Programs and Exhibits. “Their impact on the marine ecosystem is immeasurable. They redistribute nutrients, support the food web, and even help capture carbon. Protecting them protects the ocean itself.”
Each winter, North Atlantic Right Whales migrate from the cold waters of New England to their calving grounds in the warm, shallow waters off Georgia, South Carolina, and Florida, often passing through the waters near Ocean Isle Beach. With the new system in place, the Museum is helping safeguard these whales right from their own shoreline.
The AIS antenna is discreetly mounted on the Museum’s south side along Second Street, facing the ocean, and nearby signage offers information for beachgoers and walkers about the project’s purpose and technology.
Currently, MotionInfo operates about 40 similar stations along the Atlantic Coast, most in New England, but hopes to expand this network southward — creating a coast-wide early warning and awareness system for mariners and marine life alike.
To see the technology in action and learn more about how local science and innovation are helping endangered species, visit the Museum of Coastal Carolina’s Seashore Gallery.
