Question 4
- The equipment and methods used to comply with the EPBC Act Regulations
Data Collection Equipment:
DJI Phantom 4 pro and DJI Mavic Pro (UAV <7kgs as per licensing). UAV being used are <2kgs.
Detailed Ethogram (catalogue of species specific behaviours to record observations)
Methods:
The focus of the data collection is observation research via on boat and using UAVs. Whales will be observed to record location, pod composition,surface active behaviours, group interactions, direction of travel andenvironmental conditions, using a detailed ethogram, focused on migrating E1 humpbacks of the Sunshine Coast.
As data collection is observation based, close approaches, touching or otherwise engaging with the whales is not required. UAV’s will be flown at the permitted height to record images and to avoid interference (CASA rules for flying commercially: Weather, presence and behaviour of whales and humans will determine whether UAVs can be deployed on each occasion.
If a UAV is launched, the aim is to hover above the whale for sufficient time to allow for data collection to be completed (recording of images). UAVs have a designated flight time based on battery life (max. 15 mins = life of a battery). To collect footage from multiple whales per trip, single flight times will be kept to a minimum.
UAVs will be operated in accordance with the current CASA guidelines (see section 2.3).
Access: Access will be with commercial, swim with humpback whale/dive tourism operators. All compliances will be adhered to as per the guidelines. Approach distances and angles will comply with all relevant guidelines.
- What steps will be taken to minimise impacts on cetaceans
The whales are not touched nor is their attention sought. UAV’s will be flown at height to ensure a suitable image can be obtained and to avoidinterference.
To inform the research stated, protocol outlined in recent publications from the Cetacean Research Unit at Murdoch University (Christiansen et al., 2016 Noninvasive unmanned aerial vehicle provides estimates of the energetic cost of reproduction in humpback whales, Ecosphere 7(10), e01468; doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.1468), that show no deleterious impacts on humpback whales (Christiansen et al., 2016 Noise levels of multi-rotor unmanned aerial vehicles with implications for potential underwater impacts on marine mammals, Front. Mar. Sci. 3, 277.; doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2016.00277).
It is not intended that the same pod group or individual whale will be observed more than once per data collection period.
Imagery of migrating whales, will be collected in accordance with current Dept. of Environment and Heritage Protection (EHP) and Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) guidelines (
- The objectives and purposes of the action
Obtain visual imagery of migrating whales, in accordance with current Dept. of Environment and Heritage Protection (EHP) and Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) guidelines(
Use this imagery for research, the use of UAVs for data collection, whale behaviors, and developing techniques for reliable estimation of body condition from photogrammetry under a range of environmental conditions.
Measuring body condition enables the quantifying of the physical status of migrating whales. As reproductive migrations are energetically costly, understanding body condition of whales provides data with which to improve understanding of migratory and foraging ecology.
Questions 5
Copy of the research proposal
Project Outline: In-expensive, non-invasive UAV photogrammetry techniques to assess east Australian humpback whale body condition.
The focus of the research is to examine the ecology of the East Australian Humpback whale using on boat and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) employing photogrammetry techniques to observe E1 Humpback Whale surface behaviours, body condition, environmental conditions, and population dynamics. Photogrammetric methods from aerial surveys are used to assess abundance, habitat use, distribution and anthropogenic disturbances over large spatial scales of terrestrial and marine realms.
This study will be the first of its kind to involve photogrammetric methods using UAV’s on the east coasts sub population of Humpback whales (E1).
During the migration season (July to November) data will be collected from commercial tourism operator vessels from which light weight (<2kg) off the shelf UAVs with a 15 minute flight time will be launched to record images of whales. The study will utilise the advantages of vertical aerial footage. Morphometric measurements and scaling will be extracted using photogrammetric methods.
We aim to expand current knowledge of population level processes, migratory ecology, energy constraints in wide-ranging species and monitoring the Humpback whales to inform conservation management.
- The names of the researchers and institutions involved in or supporting the research
University of the Sunshine Coast
Dr. Kylie Scales
Dr. Vikki Schaffer
Dr. Javier Leon
Emily Gregory
- Relationship of the researchers to the permit applicant, including any funding beingprovided by, or to, the permit applicant
Dr. Javier Leon – on boat data collection (licensed UAV operator)
Dr. Vikki Schaffer – on boat data collection (undertaking UAV operator certification)
Dr. Kylie Scales - data analysis and student supervision
Emily Gregory – Student collecting observational data (on boat)