A Novel Technique for Photo-Identification of the Fin Whale, <em>Balaenoptera physalus</em>, as Determined by Drone Aerial Images

Drones have become a crucial research tool across marine environments over the past decade, being specifically useful in marine mammal research. Fin whales (<i>Balaenoptera physalus</i>) have been monitored feeding along the Catalan coast, Spain (NW Mediterranean), since 2014. To overcom...

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Main Authors: Eduard Degollada, Natalia Amigó, Seán A. O’Callaghan, Mila Varola, Katia Ruggero, Beatriu Tort
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2023-03-01
Series:Drones
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2504-446X/7/3/220
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author Eduard Degollada
Natalia Amigó
Seán A. O’Callaghan
Mila Varola
Katia Ruggero
Beatriu Tort
author_facet Eduard Degollada
Natalia Amigó
Seán A. O’Callaghan
Mila Varola
Katia Ruggero
Beatriu Tort
author_sort Eduard Degollada
collection DOAJ
description Drones have become a crucial research tool across marine environments over the past decade, being specifically useful in marine mammal research. Fin whales (<i>Balaenoptera physalus</i>) have been monitored feeding along the Catalan coast, Spain (NW Mediterranean), since 2014. To overcome issues such as the distance between a whale and a research vessel or the lack of distinctive dorsal fin features, an aerial identification technique was developed. It uses the fin whales’ characteristic central chevron pattern (CCP) and blaze, which are clearly visible from an overhead position. A total of 237 individual whales were identified between 2015–2022 in this study area, of which there were 35 interannual recaptures. While the dorsal fin may undergo modifications over time, the CCP and blaze patterns did not naturally alter over the years, with one whale displaying the same characteristics 8 years apart between the first and the most recent sightings. As such, this coloration pattern provides a reliable identification feature to be used for the interannual identification and population monitoring of fin whales using drones. This novel technique aims to improve and unify this species cataloguing overseas by using the CCP and blaze obtained from UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) zenithal videos as a robust identification tool.
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spelling doaj.art-fbc0a5a92ab9489e8357c41607a4e7f92023-11-17T10:40:06ZengMDPI AGDrones2504-446X2023-03-017322010.3390/drones7030220A Novel Technique for Photo-Identification of the Fin Whale, <em>Balaenoptera physalus</em>, as Determined by Drone Aerial ImagesEduard Degollada0Natalia Amigó1Seán A. O’Callaghan2Mila Varola3Katia Ruggero4Beatriu Tort5EDMAKTUB Association, Ctra. Sant Vicenç 17, 08393 Caldes d’Estrac, SpainEDMAKTUB Association, Ctra. Sant Vicenç 17, 08393 Caldes d’Estrac, SpainEDMAKTUB Association, Ctra. Sant Vicenç 17, 08393 Caldes d’Estrac, SpainEDMAKTUB Association, Ctra. Sant Vicenç 17, 08393 Caldes d’Estrac, SpainEDMAKTUB Association, Ctra. Sant Vicenç 17, 08393 Caldes d’Estrac, SpainEDMAKTUB Association, Ctra. Sant Vicenç 17, 08393 Caldes d’Estrac, SpainDrones have become a crucial research tool across marine environments over the past decade, being specifically useful in marine mammal research. Fin whales (<i>Balaenoptera physalus</i>) have been monitored feeding along the Catalan coast, Spain (NW Mediterranean), since 2014. To overcome issues such as the distance between a whale and a research vessel or the lack of distinctive dorsal fin features, an aerial identification technique was developed. It uses the fin whales’ characteristic central chevron pattern (CCP) and blaze, which are clearly visible from an overhead position. A total of 237 individual whales were identified between 2015–2022 in this study area, of which there were 35 interannual recaptures. While the dorsal fin may undergo modifications over time, the CCP and blaze patterns did not naturally alter over the years, with one whale displaying the same characteristics 8 years apart between the first and the most recent sightings. As such, this coloration pattern provides a reliable identification feature to be used for the interannual identification and population monitoring of fin whales using drones. This novel technique aims to improve and unify this species cataloguing overseas by using the CCP and blaze obtained from UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) zenithal videos as a robust identification tool.https://www.mdpi.com/2504-446X/7/3/220whale identificationUAVfin whalecentral chevron patternblazedorsal fin
spellingShingle Eduard Degollada
Natalia Amigó
Seán A. O’Callaghan
Mila Varola
Katia Ruggero
Beatriu Tort
A Novel Technique for Photo-Identification of the Fin Whale, <em>Balaenoptera physalus</em>, as Determined by Drone Aerial Images
Drones
whale identification
UAV
fin whale
central chevron pattern
blaze
dorsal fin
title A Novel Technique for Photo-Identification of the Fin Whale, <em>Balaenoptera physalus</em>, as Determined by Drone Aerial Images
title_full A Novel Technique for Photo-Identification of the Fin Whale, <em>Balaenoptera physalus</em>, as Determined by Drone Aerial Images
title_fullStr A Novel Technique for Photo-Identification of the Fin Whale, <em>Balaenoptera physalus</em>, as Determined by Drone Aerial Images
title_full_unstemmed A Novel Technique for Photo-Identification of the Fin Whale, <em>Balaenoptera physalus</em>, as Determined by Drone Aerial Images
title_short A Novel Technique for Photo-Identification of the Fin Whale, <em>Balaenoptera physalus</em>, as Determined by Drone Aerial Images
title_sort novel technique for photo identification of the fin whale em balaenoptera physalus em as determined by drone aerial images
topic whale identification
UAV
fin whale
central chevron pattern
blaze
dorsal fin
url https://www.mdpi.com/2504-446X/7/3/220
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