The WHALE ARC™ Monitoring Programme represents a significant leap forward in our ability to understand and protect whales and their ocean environment. At its core is WhaleARC™, a cutting-edge monitoring platform, currently under development, that integrates a diverse array of data sources to provide a comprehensive and real-time picture of whale activity. This programme recognises that effective conservation requires not only a deep understanding of whale behaviour and ecology but also the capacity to respond rapidly and effectively to emerging threats.

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WHALE ARC™ is designed to bring together a wide range of data, including satellite imagery, which can track large-scale whale movements and identify potential threats such as ship traffic; drone technology, which can provide high-resolution data on whale behaviour and health; and, crucially, community-based observations. This last component is essential, as it harnesses the traditional knowledge and on-the-ground expertise of Indigenous communities, who have been stewards of these ocean environments for generations. By combining these diverse data streams, WHALE ARC™ will create a powerful and dynamic tool for ocean guardians (kaitiaki) to monitor whale populations and detect potential risks.

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But WHALE ARC™ is more than just a data collection system; it's a platform for action. By meticulously tracking whale movements, identifying threats such as entanglement in fishing gear or approaching vessels, and sharing this information in real-time with relevant stakeholders, WHALE ARC™ will empower decision-makers to take swift and effective action to protect whales. This could include issuing alerts to ships to avoid critical whale habitats, deploying rapid response teams to disentangle whales, or informing the design of marine protected areas. Ultimately, WHALE ARC™ will ensure that conservation efforts are evidence-based, adaptive, and effective, maximising our ability to safeguard these magnificent creatures and the health of the ocean they call home.