The use of unmanned aerial systems in marine mammal research

L Fiori; A Doshi; E Martinez; Mark Orams; B Bollard-Breen

doi:10.3390/rs9060543

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The use of unmanned aerial systems in marine mammal research

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

The use of unmanned aerial systems in marine mammal research

L Fiori, A Doshi, E Martinez, Mark Orams and B Bollard-Breen

Remote Sensing, Vol.9(6), 543

2017

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/rs9060543

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Abstract

unmanned aerial systems

marine mammal abundance surveys

photogrammetry

photo-identification

cetacean behavior

Unmanned aerial systems (UAS), commonly referred to as drones, are finding applications in several ecological research areas since remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) technology has ceased to be a military prerogative. Fixed-wing RPA have been tested for line transect aerial surveys of geographically dispersed marine mammal species. Despite many advantages, their systematic use is far from a reality. Low altitude, long endurance systems are still highly priced. Regulatory bodies also impose limitations while struggling to cope with UAS rapid technological evolution. In contrast, small vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) UAS have become increasingly affordable but lack the flight endurance required for long-range aerial surveys. Although this issue and civil aviation regulations prevent the use of VTOL UAS for marine mammal abundance estimation on a large scale, recent studies have highlighted other potential applications. The present note represents a general overview on the use of UAS as a survey tool for marine mammal studies. The literature pertaining to UAS marine mammal research applications is considered with special concern for advantages and limitations of the survey design. The use of lightweight VTOL UAS to collect marine mammal behavioral data is also discussed.

Details

Title: The use of unmanned aerial systems in marine mammal research
Authors: L Fiori (Author) - Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand
A Doshi (Author) - Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand
E Martinez (Author) - Massey University, New Zealand
Mark Orams (Author) - Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand
B Bollard-Breen (Author) - Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand
Publication details: Remote Sensing, Vol.9(6), 543
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date published: 2017
DOI: 10.3390/rs9060543
ISSN: 2072-4292; 2072-4292
Copyright note: Copyright © 2017 The Author. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. (CC BY 4.0).
Organisation Unit: University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; USC Business School - Legacy
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99451493202621
Output Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration
Web Of Science research areas: Environmental Sciences; Geosciences, Multidisciplinary; Imaging Science & Photographic Technology; Remote Sensing

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