In a groundbreaking initiative, scientists from the University of Washington have deployed more than a mile of fiber-optic cable in the Salish Sea to explore its potential for monitoring endangered orcas. This innovative technology, known as Distributed Acoustic Sensing, enables the cables to function as continuous underwater microphones, allowing researchers to accurately track whale locations and movements. The implications of this technology are significant; if proven effective, the existing 870,000 miles of undersea cables worldwide could be transformed into a comprehensive ocean monitoring network. This network would provide crucial real-time data on how marine mammals, such as orcas, respond to various stressors, including vessel noise, food scarcity, and the impacts of climate change. The timing of this research is particularly relevant as new marine protected areas are set to be established under the High Seas Treaty in January, highlighting the urgent need for effective conservation strategies.