Aloha,

     FYI, interesting!

Wiley DN, Zadra CJ, Friedlaender AS, Parks SE, Pensarosa A, Rogan A, Alex Shorter K, Urbán J, Kerr I.
2023 Deployment of biologging tags on free swimming large whales using uncrewed aerial systems.
R. Soc. Open Sci. 10: 221376


Suction-cup-attached biologging tags have led tomajor advances in our understanding of large whale behaviour. Getting close enough to a whale at sea to safely attach a tag is a major limiting factor when deploying these systems. Here we present an uncrewed aerial system (UAS)-based tagging technique for free-swimming large whales and provide data on efficacy from field testing on blue (Balaenoptera musculus) and fin (B. physalus) whales. Rapid transit speed and the bird’s-eye view of the animal during UAS tagging contributed to the technique’s success. During 8 days of field testing, we had 29 occasions when a focal animal was identified for attempted tagging and tags were successfully attached 21 times. The technique was efficient, with mean flight time of 2 min 45 s from launch to deployment and a mean distance of 490 m from the launch vessel to tagged animal, reducing potential adverse effects resulting from close approaches for tagging. These data indicate that UAS are capable of attaching biologging tags to freeswimming large whales quickly and from large distances, potentially increasing success rates, decreasing attempt times, and reducing animal disruption during tagging.


     Take care and be safe!

Aloha and Drone On!

ok you started this!
Kind of need to know more - those are some really good nunmbers.

What make and model drone did you use?

Was it LOS or FPV?

WHat kind of release mechnisim did you come up with and how do you remotely activiate it?

Make total sense what you say, less stree on the animal who may not even notice the small drine appraoachin -vs- maned vessile.

and if you are getting success without splashing a ton of drones that is huge! Nice job 21 out of 29 and we need to know more.

My dream job is chasing down a perp and them letting me taze him with the drone - FPV - Kind of like hunting but with a drone?
Never going to see that day unless I get into LE as a carreer and even then - people freak out when the see a taser drone.

But tagging whales sounds like fun and a great few days at sea not to mention increadably challenging task for a pilot to hook up with a moving mammoth in the wild. One good wave and the mission is over - although that would make great video for posting :-)

Nice original use of a Drone to solve a problem IMHO.

Gnarley - https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/full/10.1098/rsos.221376

Nitro-Tom Posted at 4-22 13:11
Gnarley - https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/full/10.1098/rsos.221376

Aloha Tom,

     Good catch!  There is a lot of information in that article.  Notice the redundant suction cup connectors on the bottom of the tag.  Research teams are often looking for proficient fliers to operate their systems as part of their teams.  If you like going to sea in often adverse conditions - as Uncle Sam says - WE WANT YOU!  There are many research programs using this, or related, new UAS technology.  
     You may want to join MARMAM, the marine mammal discussion group, as they post almost every new article on marine mammal research in the World.  If you find a program in your part of the World (or an area of the World where you want to work for a period of time), but be sure you have the skills they need.  These guys are the best researchers in the World after all.  Make sure you are up to the task.  You will be able to learn information beyond your wildest dreams and unique skills in a new field that will be in demand.  

     The ball is now in your court!  Take care and be safe

Aloha and Drone On!