Creating a
Quiet Ocean
for Whales

Welcome to Whale Sound, an interactive website sharing information gathered from cutting edge underwater listening technology to the surface.

Here you can explore the diversity and culture of whale communication and investigate whale presence, habitat usage, and levels of human-generated ocean noise at specific sites along the BC coast.

Community

This acoustic platform was developed by the BC Hydrophone Network (BCHN), a collaboration between First Nation communities and NGO’s.

Who We Are

Technology

Whale Sound and BCHN members have installed a standardized system of 18 underwater recording stations, known as hydrophones, in key locations along the coast of BC.

How We Listen

Research

We support community-based projects and inform conservation planning for the recovery of whales.

Our Research

View the map

The acoustic data library is available for territorial stewards and researchers through the interactive map and by data request form.

Whale Sound expands our awareness of the underwater world of whales and the soundscape they live in. It is a place we historically have not well understood. Today, this is changing, and now we recognize that to truly understand the behavior and habitat needs of whales, we need to listen!

View the Map

Our vision is to support community-based projects that protect whales and inform conservation planning for British Columbia’s most exceptional wild marine places.

Explore

Whales & Sound

Interactive Map

Research

Ocean Noise

The BC Hydrophone Network is a collaboration of first nations, coastal communities and NGOs who work collectively to understand and protect the marine soundscape of British Columbia. Whale Sound is its platform and outreach project.

Collectively we have over 20 hydrophones installed at key locations along the coast and are creating a massive library of acoustic data which is available for researchers seeking to understand habitat use and needs, to inform conservation policy, identify areas of acoustic concern, and monitor changes to the acoustic landscape in the wake of new shipping routes and increased vessel activity.

Photographs, videos, and audio sound tracks are the sole property of the contributing partners.