How drones are changing the very nature of marine science

How drones are changing the very nature of marine science

Source: cosmosmagazine

2/3/2023

Credit: Eddie Kopp

While the benefits outweigh the costs there remain uncertainties about the way animals interact with drones.

Hear that whirring above your head while you’re at the beach? Doesn’t sound quite like a helicopter… but it’s a familiar whooshing sound. I promise you it’s not a lyrebird that’s learned a new trick – look up, it’s a drone!

Over the past decade, drones (the common term used for unmanned aerial vehicles – UAVs) have become a popular tool for wildlife management and research. As technology has rapidly evolved, along with increasing visualization capabilities and cost-effectiveness, observational studies have become trendy, particularly in the field of marine science. In addition to aerial monitoring from planes and helicopters, drones are a natural extension of this research technique.