What We Do
SPACEWHALE is a novel method for detecting whales in very high-resolution (VHR) satellite imagery which can monitor regions in the high seas where traditional boat or aerial-based surveys are difficult to execute. We merge the latest in space-based and Deep Learning assets with a team of expert biologists to offer clients a range of products including abundance and distribution estimates.
Abundance
We provide abundance estimates for large whales on a per-survey basis which can be used to generate population trends over time.
Distribution
Using advanced modelling techniques, we create distribution maps of target species in ESRI-compatible raster formats.
Bespoke analyses
Working with our clients we offer bespoke analyses to help guide conservation and advanced ecological studies.
Hawaii / Peninsula Valdes
Pelagos Sanctuary
Bay of Biscay
Projects
Auckland Islands
Loreto National Park
Mapping Whales From Space - Our Publications
Open our publications as PDF by clicking on the buttons below or find more information for Borowicz et al., 2019 (https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0212532), for Höschle et al., 2021 (https://doi.org/10.3390/s21030963), and for Höschle et al., 2022 (International whaling commision, https://iwc.int/en/).
In February 2022, the SPACEWHALE team was given the opportunity to present our applied technology at MAXAR Smart talks. Join our expert from BioConsult for this in-depth talk on spotting whales from space.
https://engagesmarttalks.maxar.com/smart-talk/spotting-whales-from-space

In June 2022, the SPACEWHALE team was named the champions of the 2022 Deloitte Gravity challenge with Whale and Dolphin Conservation. This prize will give SPACEWHALE the opportunity to further advance our ethical AI solution that we use for detecting whales from high resolution satellite imagery by helping to create a baseline for marine protected areas. Working with WDC will give us the chance to improve protections for charismatic and important marine mammals.
https://gravitychallenge.space/gravity-04-challenge-solutions-awards
Research Team

Caroline Höschle
Project lead | Marine mammal scientist

Julika Voss
Marine mammal scientist

Dr. Amel Ben Mahjoub
Image recognition specialist

Vladislav Kosarev
Programmer

Dr. Grant Humphries
System architect | Data scientist

Dr. Kelly Macleod
Head of Science HiDef | Marine mammal scientist

Marc Schnurawa
Spatial data analytics

Dirk Renner
Flight organisation and Data management

Kai Christensen
Review / ID Team coordinator

Martin Scott
Managing director HiDef

Dr. Georg Nehls
Managing director BioConsult SH
Review Team

Theo Jensen
Review

Volker Schlemm
Review

Evlin Mirza
Review

Karo Galoyan
Review

Morsal Aslami
Review

Lennart Rienitz
Review

Farhad Ataee
Review

Gunnar Wolff
Review

Carsten Klein
Review

Sardar Mirza
Review

Nevard Saroyan
Review
Contact us for a quote
Office
25813 Husum, Germany