Drones in Oceanography and Whale Tagging
Why Do Whales Need Our Support and Scientific Research to Protect Their Future and Environment?
There are many threats to all wildlife in our day and age, but particularly to various whale species across the globe.
These creatures, just like the rest of us, face climate change's increasing impacts. Global warming has caused a complex domino effect on their ecosystem, such as disruptions in the natural food chain and their food supply. As well as this, they’re facing commercial whaling threats, pollution, irresponsible finishing, and much more.
According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), 20 species of whales are either critically endangered, endangered, or vulnerable.
How Can Drones Contribute to Improving the Future of Whale Populations Globally?
Ocean Alliance, a non-profit organisation that protects whales and their environment, uses the DJI Inspire 2 drone for vital whale research and monitoring.
Ocean Alliance has modified this consumer drone, or “SnotBot”, to enable it to fly through the blow of a whale and collect exhaled 'snot' on Petri dishes. This blow contains a treasure trove of valuable biological information: DNA, stress and pregnancy hormones, microbiomes, and potentially many other biological compounds and indicators of the whale's health and ecology.
This incredible drone innovation has allowed researchers to gather bold and reliable data in a non-invasive and non-harmful way. The technology doesn’t cause any stress or discomfort to the whale.
Drones have been incredibly beneficial in keeping these creatures safe and monitored. The information that Ocean Alliance has gathered with the help of “SnotBot” will provide huge strides in the development of whale protection and futureproofing their habitat.
The DJI Inspire 2 Has Sparked Inspiration
After the success of Ocean Alliance's “SnotBot” drone, doors began to fly open.
The range of data that can be collected with an adapted drone has proven revolutionary for organisations like Ocean Alliance. Their waterproof “EarBot™” drone has now collected bio-acoustic data on whales, and data tags are now being successfully planted on whales safely and securely via drone.
About the DJI Inspire 2
The DJI Inspire 1 was a ground-breaking piece of technology when it was released in 2014. It was the first filmmaking drone in the world to integrate an HD video transmission system, 360° rotating gimbal, and a 4K camera, as well as app control.
When the DJI Inspire 2 came out in 2016, it took everything that the Inspire 1 did so well and made it even better.
The Inspire 2 goes from 0 to 50 mph (80 kph) in just 5 seconds and hits a maximum speed of 58 mph (94 kph). It has a max descent speed of 9m/s for unheard-of speed and agility in an aircraft this size. Its dual battery system prolongs the flight time to a maximum of 27 minutes while self-heating technology allows it to fly even in low temperatures. As well as this, the two controller sticks are tuned for more sensitivity, making delicate manoeuvres easier.
All of these features make it the perfect drone to conduct marine mammal research and observations. No wonder this is the drone that the team at Ocean Alliance chose to conduct such integral Oceanography investigations.
Drones Are Taking Marine Research and Safety Further
In Australia, most busy beaches now have regular drone patrols to help spot sharks and alert swimmers, with the bonus of spotting swimmers in distress or other risks to beach users.
Furthermore, a recent study from New Zealand used drones to spot manta rays, so that a boat could find them and tag them much more efficiently than before, and with less stress for the animal.
Elsewhere, scientists from the Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research and Wageningen Marine Research, hope to use drones to study harp seals in the Arctic, use thermal drones to detect and observe sea turtles, detect pregnant dolphins, and examine penguins in Antarctica.
When not counting colonies or looking at behaviour, drones can also be deployed to monitor ocean surface processes and tropical cyclones.
It’s fair to say that when it comes to the future of drones, the sky is the limit. Drones of various specifications can benefit many industries and have a positive impact, just like they have on oceanography research and neighbouring topics.
Watch this space to learn more about the developing uses of drones globally, and shop the DJI Inspire 3 via our website today.