Abstract
Great cormorants (Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis) are piscivorous predators that cause high losses of fish in both aquaculture facilities and natural water bodies. Their monitoring (direct counting) in Central European carp (Cyprinus carpio) ponds is currently the only possible source of information for the evaluation of the extent of losses they cause to fish farmers. This method of monitoring is based on regular (optimally daily) counting by farmers, who are the applicants for compensation; however, this method can be easily biased by irregular observations and mistakes made in the counting of individual birds, particularly when cormorant flocks consist of tens or even hundreds of individuals. Such monitoring is not supported by any kind of record, except for the observer's notes on counting and can, therefore, be considered subjective to some extent. We introduce a new objective methodology for cormorant monitoring which eliminates the mistakes caused by the human factor, automatizes bird counting, and provides a record for the evaluation of the monitoring quality. The methodology is based on the use of drones equipped with a thermal camera and/or stationary 360° cameras placed on the monitored pond. The system automatically detects the arrival of cormorants to the pond and counts the individuals in the drone images. The methodology can be adapted to many other bird species on the ponds or appropriate water bodies.
Published Version
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