Marine whales corridors

BlueCorridors: Mapping Whale Corridors for Conservation

BlueCorridors is a groundbreaking digital platform that compiles over 30 years of satellite-tracking data—more than 3 million kilometers from over 1,400 tagged whales—and visualizes where different whale species feed, breed, socialize, and migrate. The platform draws critical “blue corridors” on an interactive map, showing precise pathways whales use across ocean basins.

On their website, users can explore species‑specific tracks, migratory corridors, and range maps, and layer these with data on threats such as shipping routes, fishing pressure, underwater noise, and pollution. This unique visualization enables more accurate definition of whale corridors, helping conservation groups and policymakers to identify high-risk zones and plan targeted protections.

By integrating science-based insights and interactive mapping tools, BlueCorridors supports efforts to enhance marine spatial planning, reduce ship strikes and entanglements, and ultimately preserve healthy whale populations and ocean ecosystems

Data and Resources

Additional Info

Field Value
Original title Whale species distribution
Original abstract
Topic category
  • biological_characteristics
Sub category
Resource language English
Domain area
  • worldwide
Owner Blue corridors
Provider Blue corridors
Data portal Blue corridors
Presentation form Map (map represented in raster or vector form)
Spatial representation Raster (grid)
Coordinate reference system epsg:4326 - WGS84 (degree)
Web services
    Derives from
    Derived datasets
    Successor of
    Predecessor of
    Temporal extent 1994-01-01
    2025-12-31
    Spatial extent
    Data accessibility
    Validation level Official data
    Additional information
    Metadata completeness Complete
    Notes

    Additional info - MSP - Environment

    Species, habitats, ecosystems, pressures

    Field Value
    MSFD Classes Species - Mammals
    MSFD Descriptors/Criteria D1 Biodiversity - mammals
    Non MSFD Classes Species
    WFD

      Additional info - MSP - Oceanographic and CC

      Physics, biochemistry, EOV, ECV

      Field Value
      Variables

        Additional info - MSP - Conservation

        Protected areas, OECM, IBA, EBSA, CCH, IMMA, ...

        Field Value
        Types
          Zonation

          Additional info - MSP - Maritime activities

          Aquaculture, fishing, transport, energy, ...

          Field Value
          Activity types

            Additional info - MSP - Coastal & Land use and planning

            Land use, land cover, planning (strategic, coordination, operational)

            Field Value
            Types

              Additional info - MSP - Socio-economic

              Living and non-living resources, shipping, tourism, energy, ...

              Field Value
              Activity types
                Value types
                  Categories

                    Additional info - MSP - Ecosystem Services

                    Provisioning, regulation & maintenance, cultural

                    Field Value
                    CICES classes

                      Additional info - MSP - Legal, Governance & Planning

                      Strategic, legislation, planning, administrative, enforcement

                      Field Value
                      Themes Environment (e.g. pollution and biodiversity)
                      Functions
                        Who is in charge?

                        Additional info - MSP - Relevance

                        Relevance of the dataset / resource in supporting the MSP process at different spatial scales and temporal frames

                        Field Value
                        Relevance (spatial and temporal)