Researchers from the University of Washington have initiated a project to explore the potential of fiber-optic cables to monitor the movements of endangered orcas in the Salish Sea. The study aims to utilize a technology known as Distributed Acoustic Sensing, which allows these cables to function as continuous underwater microphones.
This innovative approach was demonstrated recently as scientists deployed a 1.3-mile fiber-optic cable in the waters near San Juan Island, Washington, on October 10, 2025. The objective is to determine whether these internet cables can effectively detect the vocalizations of the Southern Resident orcas, a group that numbers approximately 75 individuals and has been classified as endangered.
Graduate students, including Isabelle Brandicourt and Sam Juber, participated in the deployment, which involved carefully fusing fibers on a barge before placing them on the seafloor. The deployment took place while orcas were observed swimming in the vicinity, underscoring the urgency of the research.
The research team believes that leveraging existing infrastructure could provide valuable data necessary for the conservation of these marine mammals. The ability to track orca movements and vocalizations through fiber-optic technology may enhance understanding of their behavior and habitat use, which is critical for their survival in the increasingly challenging marine environment.
As the project unfolds, researchers will analyze the data collected to better inform conservation efforts and enhance protection measures for the endangered Southern Resident orcas, a species facing numerous threats, including habitat degradation and decreased prey availability.
