NIMMSA Conservation Fund Project
Year awarded
Bigg’s Killer Whale Database Development and Population Monitoring
Awarded Organization:
This project supported the continued development of the open-access finwave platform, improving data curation, user experience, and mobile access. It strengthens long-term monitoring of Bigg’s killer whale populations and expands access to information for researchers and responsible marine tourism operators.
With support from the NIMMSA Conservation Fund, Bay Cetology expanded the finwave platform and employed a biologist to manage incoming data and enhance the system. The project resulted in significant growth, including a 313% increase in users and a 57% increase in recorded whale encounters. By making curated data widely accessible, finwave continues to advance research, education, and stewardship, improving understanding of whale movements, behaviour, and population dynamics.