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Overhead view of the full body of a North Atlantic Right Whale.

Overhead view of the full body of a North Atlantic Right Whale.
Overhead view of the full body of a North Atlantic Right Whale.
Overhead view of the full body of a North Atlantic Right Whale.
Overhead view of the full body of a North Atlantic Right Whale.
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299878
Durban, Fearnbach, Moore
Overhead view of the full body of a North Atlantic Right Whale.
Still Image
03/27/2016
003_Mouth_closed_2016-03-27 _3-16-57.jpg
Image Of the Day caption:
Scientists used a remotely controlled hexacopter to take detailed aerial photographs of endangered right whales and to collect samples of their blowthe spray whales exhale out of their blowholes. In the past, researchers have used planes or helicopters to get aerial photographs of whales. A small drone with a specialized camera can get close to a whale without disturbing it, providing images of unprecedented quality and detail. The team included researchers from WHOI, NOAA, and SR3: Michael Moore, Amy Apprill, Carolyn Miller, John Durban, and Holly Fearnbach. They will use the images to assess the whales' sizes, body conditions, and overall health. (Research approach of whales using the hexacopter was authorized by NMFS permit #17355 and flights were authorized under an MOU between NOAA and the FAA: Class G MOU #2016-ESA-3-NOAA.)
Caption from Oceanus magazine, Vol. 52, No. 2, pg. 11:
In the past, getting aerial photographs of whales meant taking them from a plane or helicopter. A small drone equipped with a specialized camera can get close to a whale without disturbing it, resulting in images of unprecedented quality and detail. In a process known as photogrammetry, a team led by NOAAs John Durban will use the images to estimate the size of the whales, assess their body condition, and draw conclusions about their overall health.
Research approach of whales using the hexacopter was authorized
by NMFS permit #17355 and flights were authorized under an MOU between NOAA and the FAA (Class G MOU #2016-ESA-3-NOAA).
Photo courtesy of John Durban (NOAA), Holly Fearnbach (SLRRR), and Michael Moore (WHOI), NMFS permit #17355 and flights were authorized under an MOU between NOAA and the FAA (Class G MOU #2016-ESA-3-NOAA)
© Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
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