ASSESSING THE AGE-STRUCTURE OF THE SPINNER DOLPHINS IN KONA USING DRONE PHOTOGRAMMETRY
LOCATION: HAWAII, UNITED STATES
Lars Bejder, PhD; Aude Pacini, PhD; Fabien Vivier
Marine Mammal Research Program, Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology, University of Hawaii at Manoa
PROJECT SUMMARY
Fabian Vivier, MMRP, HIMB, University of Hawai’I at Manoa
This project is a collaboration between the Marine Mammal Research Program (MMRP) at the University of Hawaii (UH), Dolphin Quest, NOAA-PIFSC and the Office of Naval Research (ONR). We proposed to assess the feasibility of using Unoccupied Aerial Systems (UASs; drones) to readily determine delphinid group age-composition and population age-structure of the spinner dolphin stock in Kona, Hawai’i Island to assess its trajectory and status. Research outcomes from this innovative approach will be used to inform management agencies of the current age-structure of the Kona stock.
Fabian Vivier, MMRP, HIMB, University of Hawai’I at Manoa
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