Abstract
The use of drones to study marine animals shows promise for the examination of numerous aspects of their ecology, behaviour, health and movement patterns. However, the responses of some marine phyla to the presence of drones varies broadly, as do the general operational protocols used to study them. Inconsistent methodological approaches could lead to difficulties comparing studies and can call into question the repeatability of research. This review draws on current literature and researchers with a wealth of practical experience to outline the idiosyncrasies of studying various marine taxa with drones. We also outline current best practice for drone operation in marine environments based on the literature and our practical experience in the field. The protocols outlined herein will be of use to researchers interested in incorporating drones as a tool into their research on marine animals and will help form consistent approaches for drone-based studies in the future.
Highlights
We provide taxa-specific protocols protocols for the use of drones for jellyfish, sharks, reptilians, marine birds, pinnipeds, for the use oftaxa-specific drones for jellyfish, sharks, reptilians, marine birds, pinnipeds, sirenians, odontocetes, sirenians, odontocetes, and mysticetes that are typically found close to the surface or on land where and mysticetes that typically found close to the surface or on land where drones are effective
Given that no marine animal research occurs in isolation and is likely to encounter non-target animals from other taxa that may be impacted by the use of drones in research, we recommend drone pilots choose flight plans that account for the more vulnerable phyla that may be encountered rather than only considering the targeted species
That where possible drone research on marine animals is conducted at these altitudes as a minimum, provided target animals are still detectable
Summary
The use of drones to study marine animals is increasing as they allow research on the movement, ecology, behaviour, health and habitat use of various marine taxa [1,2]. Since the number of droneflight protocols all istaxa where drones beenthat used with success to prevent known errors in basedon studies rapidly increasing, therehave are concerns drones are being used improperly in ways flight protocols from becoming commonplace These protocols require identifying the traits that may invalidate research results, either through inadequate equipment or through incorrect flight protocols that may impact the behaviour of the observed animals. Of Single-rotors (helicopters) are older platforms with high lift capacity, endurance, and stability in adverse weather platforms are available to marine researchers, and each has different capabilities and strengths. Single-rotorsmachinery are older platforms with high lift capacity, endurance, and stability in adverse (collective pitch, tail rotor, petrol engines), higher risk factors from greater disk loading weather conditions [4]. Since each drone platform has its strengths, some are more adapted to research on one animal taxa more than others
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