UH researchers use drones to tag humpback whales

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – University of Hawaii researchers are using drones to tag humpback whales to expand critical research and reduce disturbance to the animals.

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Scientists with UH Manoa’s Marine Mammal Research Program (MMRP) traditionally tagged whales from boats using a long carbon fiber pole. During fieldwork off Maui in February, the team pivoted, deploying noninvasive suction-cup tags directly from drones instead.

Researchers said this remote method allows them to remain hundreds of meters away from the animals while still collecting detailed information on their movement and energy use.

“It’s a complete game changer,” said Lars Bejder, director of the Marine Mammal Research Program. “We’re putting less pressure on the animals. We don’t have to get close to them.”

The team successfully deployed 22 tags on lactating females, a calf, and adult males during the trial.

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“So some of these unanswered questions that we haven’t been able to address, we can now suddenly address with this new technology,” Bejder said.

The collected data will help researchers better understand how whales respond to environmental stressors like climate events, vessel traffic, and military activity, ultimately guiding future conservation and management efforts.

The fieldwork was supported by the Office of Naval Research, the U.S. Navy’s Living Marine Resources program, Dolphin Quest, and private donations.

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