4. Aerial Drones
In recent years, the use of aerial drones has become increasingly popular for a wide range of applications. One area where these unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have shown great potential is in supporting ocean monitoring and the blue economy in general. With the ability to cover large areas of ocean quickly and collect data from remote or hard-to-reach locations, drones are quickly becoming an indispensable tool for marine researchers and industry professionals alike.
One of the most important uses of UAVs in the blue economy is for ocean monitoring. Drones can be equipped with a range of sensors and instruments to collect data on the marine environment and other key indicators of ocean health. This data can then be used to track changes in the ocean over time and identify areas that require further investigation or conservation efforts.
For starters, drones can be used to monitor phytoplankton abundance or sediment discharge by performing aerial surveys of ocean water. This information on phytoplankton can be used to determine the productivity of upper food web and infer the state of local fisheries. Information on sediment discharge are important for ocean dredging and monitoring for storm runoff and water quality.
In addition to environmental monitoring, drones can also be used for a range of other applications in the blue economy. For example, they can be used for offshore inspection of oil rigs, wind turbines, and other marine infrastructure. They can also be used to support search and rescue operations, such as locating missing vessels or people lost at sea. And in the fishing industry, drones can be used to locate schools of fish or monitor the activities of fishing vessels, helping to promote sustainable fishing practices and reduce the risk of overfishing.
Similarly, drones can also be used to monitor marine debris and other contaminants in the water. This is important not only for understanding the impact of pollution on ocean ecosystems, but also for informing decisions about waste management and coastal development. By understanding the extent of pollution in a given area, it becomes easier to identify sources and implement solutions that reduce the amount of pollutants entering the water. This data is important for tracking changes in the marine environment, understanding how certain factors may be impacting local ecosystems, and making more intelligent decisions about human activities.
UAVs can also be used to track and monitor marine wildlife. This includes surveying animals to understand their behaviors and habitat ranges, as well as tracking migrations to ensure their protection. This data can then be used to support conservation efforts and inform decisions about policies that protect vulnerable species.
One key advantage of using aerial drones for these applications is their ability to cover large areas of ocean quickly and efficiently. Traditional methods of ocean monitoring often involve expensive and time-consuming ship-based surveys; while these surveys remain an important sampling method, it can be difficult to carry out in remote or dangerous locations. UAVs, on the other hand, can cover large areas of ocean in a much short time frame, and can easily navigate around obstacles such as icebergs or rough seas. This means that researchers and industry professionals can gather more data in less time, allowing them to make more informed decisions and take action more quickly.
Of course, there are also some challenges associated with using drones in the blue economy. For example, drones require skilled operators and specialized equipment, which can be expensive and difficult to obtain in some parts of the world. They also require careful planning and coordination to ensure that they are used safely and effectively, and to avoid interfering with other marine activities. In remote locations, autonomous UAV charging can pose a significant challenge. At Ocean Motion, we work with a diverse range of vendors and cross-disciplinary professionals to tackle these problems. We work with our local technical training and workforce development organizations and advocate for better training of UAV pilots for the blue economy. We also work with highly capable tech firms who specialize in UAV landing and charging for at-sea platforms. The inclusion of these important stakeholders across multiple industries and disciplines will help Ocean Motion and the broader blue economy to achieve the big-data paradigm.
Please visit www.oceanmotion.tech to learn more.
The editing of this article was powered by deepsage.ai
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