Operational protocols for the use of drones in marine animal research

Vincent Raoult; Andrew P. Colefax; Blake M. Allan; Daniele Cagnazzi; Nataly Castelblanco-Martínez; Daniel Ierodiaconou; David W. Johnston; Sarah Landeo-Yauri; Mitchell Lyons; Vanessa Pirotta; Gail Schofield; Paul A. Butcher

doi:10.3390/drones4040064

Operational protocols for the use of drones in marine animal research

Vincent Raoult^*, Andrew P. Colefax, Blake M. Allan, Daniele Cagnazzi, Nataly Castelblanco-Martínez, Daniel Ierodiaconou, David W. Johnston, Sarah Landeo-Yauri, Mitchell Lyons, Vanessa Pirotta, Gail Schofield, Paul A. Butcher

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review

100 Citations (Scopus)

63 Downloads (Pure)

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.

Original language	English
Article number	64
Pages (from-to)	1-35
Number of pages	35
Journal	Drones
Volume	4
Issue number	4
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.3390/drones4040064
Publication status	Published - Dec 2020

Bibliographical note

Copyright the Author(s) 2020. Version archived for private and non-commercial use with the permission of the author/s and according to publisher conditions. For further rights please contact the publisher.

Keywords

Review
UAV
Drones
Marine
Methods
Approach
Animals
Research
Protocols
Behaviour

Access to Document

10.3390/drones4040064Licence: CC BY

Publisher version (open access)Final published version, 1.02 MBLicence: CC BY

Cite this

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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.",

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AU - Castelblanco-Martínez, Nataly

AU - Ierodiaconou, Daniel

AU - Johnston, David W.

AU - Landeo-Yauri, Sarah

AU - Lyons, Mitchell

AU - Pirotta, Vanessa

AU - Schofield, Gail

AU - Butcher, Paul A.

N1 - Copyright the Author(s) 2020. Version archived for private and non-commercial use with the permission of the author/s and according to publisher conditions. For further rights please contact the publisher.

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N2 - 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.

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Operational protocols for the use of drones in marine animal research

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Keywords

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