Ocean Alliance

Linda Dennis
A Backpack Journalist

“Your suction cup tag delivery tool should be regarded and one of the major reductions in science impact through close boat approaches in the history of marine mammal science.”

Michael Moore

Emeritus Scientist, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.

“Working with the Ocean Alliance folks allowed us to see the possibilities (of drone-based data tag deployment) firsthand. These data are so difficult to collect and are urgently needed to help us understand how North Atlantic right whales are changing their habitat use and to support our efforts to recover this endangered species.”

Lisa Conger

NOAA NEFSC

“In four prior (Rice’s whale) cruises, we successfully tagged two whales using poles, so it’s a significant breakthrough to be able to tag seven animals on our first cruise using the drone approach.”

Matthew Bowers

NOAA SEFSC

“It was remarkable to see how effectively this tagging method worked. This expedition will mark a monumental step forward in our understanding of these (Rice’s) whales.”

Annie Gorgone

Marine Mammal Field Biologist, NOAA.

“Being able to successfully use this emerging and non-invasive technique to more efficiently apply tags to these (Rice’s) whales is a game changer.”

Jenny Litz

Marine Mammal Branch Chief at the Southeast Fisheries Science Center.

“The data we can collect from these tags is critical to understanding their foraging behavior, energetic needs, and call behavior (of Rice’s whale). We are so grateful to our partners and excited about the data collected and the possibilities this new tagging method provides.”

Jenny Litz

Marine Mammal Branch Chief at the Southeast Fisheries Science Center.

“The use of UAVs to tag whales is the first major innovation related to attaching tags to whales. In the 25 years I have been tagging whales, we have always dreamed of being able to place tags on animals from the air. The real-time aerial perspective allows whales to be followed underwater, be in position when they surface, and quickly attach tags to them. From the whale’s perspective, this alleviates the current procedure involving multiple approaches from vessels and replaces it with the less invasive approach of a small drone. From the human perspective, it replaces the need to close approach unpredictable, large animals at sea and safely substitutes a reliable remote attachment. It’s a game changer for whales, people and science.”

Dr. David Wiley

NOAA – Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary.