A Group of Researchers of IPB Investigated the Utilization of Drones to Inventory Marine Mammals
Marine mammals are aquatic mammals that rely on the ocean and other marine ecosystems for their existence. They play a vital role in the balance of marine ecosystems, particularly in the control of prey populations. Unfortunately, many marine mammal species are facing declines due to exploitation, habitat loss or accidental by-catch (caught in the nets of fishermen fishing for other species). Habitat degradation also threatens marine mammals and their ability to find and catch food. Noise pollution, for example, may adversely affect echolocating mammals, and the ongoing effects of global warming degrade arctic environments. In some parts of Indonesia, marine mammal populations are threatened by habitat alteration and disturbance due to human activity in the mammal habitat. Another human activity such as dolphin watch tours has affected the life of marine mammals. However, at the moment there is not much monitoring effort on a regular basis, because it is associated with time and facilities are quite a lot needed.
A group of researchers of the Department of Marine Science and Technology, of the Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences of Bogor Agricultural University (FPIK IPB) developed a method of monitoring marine mammals using drones. The study was conducted in three locations, namely Sepa Island, Kepulauan Seribu; Liang Maluku Beach; and the Lesser Isles of Southeast Maluku in 2015 and 2017.
"The use of drones increases accuracy in inventorying the number of mammals. This will respond the question of the actual population which during this time in the calculation of individuals more on the observer's estimates, "said Head of Scientific Diving Laboratory of IPB, Beginer Subhan.
He said that drones are excellent for reconnaissance and attack missions, furthermore, drones are far more cost efficient than traditional manned aircraft. The use of drones is easy and efficient for regular observations such as on Sepa Island and Liang Beach. The results of this study are presented at The 4th International LISAT Symposium 2017 in October 2016 in Bogor. (Wied)
