A new whale detection network has launched in San Francisco Bay to provide real-time alerts to ships and help prevent fatal collisions with marine mammals, according to ABC News.

The system comes as climate change is driving starving gray whales into San Francisco Bay waters in unusual numbers. Ship strikes killed at least 40% of the 21 whales found dead in the bay last year, highlighting the urgent need for protective measures.

The detection network will alert vessels in real time when whales are present in shipping lanes, allowing captains to adjust their routes or reduce speeds to avoid potentially deadly encounters. Gray whales, which can grow up to 50 feet long and weigh up to 40 tons, are particularly vulnerable to ship strikes in busy maritime corridors.

Scientists attribute the increased whale presence in the bay to changing ocean conditions caused by climate change. Warming waters and altered food sources are forcing the marine mammals to venture into new areas in search of sustenance, bringing them into closer contact with commercial and recreational vessel traffic.

The whale detection technology represents an effort to balance maritime commerce with marine conservation as shipping activity continues in one of the nation's busiest ports. Officials hope the system will significantly reduce whale fatalities while maintaining efficient vessel operations in the bay.