The most numerous species of marine mammal off the coast of the Commander Islands is the northern fur seal (Callorhinus ursinus Linnaeus). This species is one of the few endemic species of the Northern Pacific. The islands are home to more than a fifth of their global population and for this reason it is very important to keep records of their population development.

Northern fur seals. Photo by Alexey Perelygin

Quadcopters help scientists count marine mammals

Since 2017, the scientific department of the Commander Islands Nature Reserve has been carrying out counting on the rookeries of marine mammals using aerial photography. The use of modern technologies opens up new horizons for further research. Counts of fur seals is carried out with the help of a drone flying along the route specified by the reserve employee.

Marine mammal counting specialist catches a drone after the survey

During each flight, a large number of images are taken – about 4500. Then they are collected into a large orthophotoplan – a digital transformed image of the terrain.

Drone shot, part of an orthophotoplan. Photo by Evgeny Mamaev

Researchers work with an orthophotoplan to calculate population dynamics with the help of daily images. It can also be used to monitor the process of rookery occupancy and migration of marine mammals.
There are a lot of advantages for this type of observation. It is not only convenient for scientists and has low price, but also it is a non-contact and safe process for animals. Marine mammals do not even notice the device flying at an altitude of several tens of meters and they are not frightened by its sound, as, for example, the sound of a helicopter.