Fellowship for 2010
The 2010 fellowship has been awarded to Dr Amanda Hodgson of Murdoch University.
Using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles to survey marine mammals: development of methodology and a comparison with manned aerial survey estimates.
The conservation and management of many marine mammal populations relies on accurate and precise estimates of their abundance, distribution and habitat use by conducting aerial surveys. We will determine whether Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) can replace manned aircraft by (a) trialling various imaging systems and testing their suitability for accurately detecting and identifying marine mammals to species, and (b) directly comparing results manned and unmanned surveys. UAVs have the potential to reduce cost, eliminate human risk and provide more accurate survey data.Field of research.
For further information see media release 'Minister Marks 2010 National Whale Day'.
