Drone 'Tap-and-Go' Whale Tagging: A Gentler, Faster Approach

Innovative Whale Tagging Technology

• 💡 Researchers have developed a novel drone-based 'tap-and-go' technique for tagging whales.
• 🎯 This method is presented as gentler, faster, and more cost-effective than traditional pole tagging.

Project CETI and Harvard Collaboration

• 🚀 The research was conducted by Project CETI (Citation Translation Initiative) in collaboration with researchers from Harvard University.
• 🐳 The 'tap-and-go' approach was tested on sperm whales off the coast of Dominica.

How the 'Tap-and-Go' Drone Works

• 🚁 Modified first-person view racing drones are used to deploy suction-based tags on the whales.
• ⏱️ The tag is gently tapped onto the whale's back, and the drone departs quickly, aiming for minimal disturbance.
• 💰 Drone components for this system cost approximately $1,300.

Advantages Over Traditional Methods

• 🌊 The drone approach reduces potential disturbance to marine life by eliminating the need for a boat to approach whales closely.
• ⚡ Tagging with the drone takes an average of 1 minute and 15 seconds, significantly faster than the typical 5 minutes for pole tagging.

Success Rate and Future Potential

• 📈 The current success rate for the drone tagging method is 55%.
• ⚠️ Challenges to the success rate include water on the whale's back affecting vacuum seal and safety considerations for tagging.
• 🔬 Despite challenges, the team hopes this approach will open new possibilities for marine mammal research.