Remote Whale Detection: A Hyperspectral View

Abstract

This paper presents the necessary background knowledge needed to develop a remote hyperspectral imaging sensor. It also describes the algorithmic process of detecting whales in digital data using sophisticated software. A hyperspectral imaging system which is comprised of a stabilizer, lens assembly and transmission grating, CCD, and computer software was used in March 2001 by Science and Technology International® (STI) in order to gather and process hyperspectral data for the purpose of whale counting. The presence of submerged humpback whales in the data was confirmed and their hyperspectral information was analyzed.