Can boats and whales share San Francisco Bay? For answers, researchers go underwater.

Researchers aboard the Mike Reigle are investigating the effects of boat interactions on whale behavior in San Francisco Bay. During their fifth outing, they gather underwater acoustic data while observing wildlife above, coinciding with Attorney General Pam Bondi's visit to Alcatraz. The study is crucial as it aims to decipher if rising whale populations reflect a thriving ecosystem or displacement from their natural habitats. The BayQuest team, led by Jason Blair, utilizes advanced underwater microphones to capture sound, which is essential for whale communication and navigation. As boat traffic increases, understanding these interactions becomes vital to preserving marine life.

The Greater Farallones marine sanctuary serves as a feeding ground for migrating whales, highlighting the ecological importance of this region. Researchers noted that human noise could disrupt whales' migratory paths, emphasizing the need for further study. This expedition underscores the balance needed between human activities and marine conservation in one of the West Coast's busiest ports.