Scientists are using cutting edge technology to protect the endangered North Atlantic right whales on their long, annual migrations to their calving grounds off the Georgia coast. Their efforts will be the topic of an Evening @ Skidaway program on Tuesday, April 11. In a talk titled “Eavesdropping Underwater: Monitoring Right Whales off Georgia’s Coast Using Autonomous Systems,” UGA Skidaway Institute of Oceanography scientist Catherine Edwards will discuss how she and her colleagues are using underwater robots in an attempt to prevent the whales from being struck by ships.

“We are using autonomous underwater vehicles, or ‘gliders,’ fitted with hydrophones to listen to the whales’ vocalizations,” Edwards said. “Our primary goal is to identify and locate migrating whales and alert ships to their proximity to give them the opportunity to slow down and avoid the whales.”

The program will be presented to an in-person audience as well as online. The in-person program will be presented in the McGowan Library on the UGA Skidaway Marine Science Campus. (10 Ocean Science Circle, Savannah, GA 31411) The evening will begin with a reception at 6:30 p.m., followed by the talk at 7 p.m.

To view the program on-line, visit the UGA Skidaway Institute YouTube channel.

The program is open to the general public and free of charge.