By Dr. Holly Fearnbach, Marine Mammal Research Director
SR3 helped provide data for a paper titled "Detecting Changes in Dynamic Social Networks Using Multiply-Labeled Movement” published in the Journal of Agricultural, Biological, and Environmental Statistics. The manuscript, led by Zaineb Boulil and Dr. Henry Scharf of San Diego State University, used our drone-measured movement data on Risso’s dolphins off Santa Catalina Island, California to estimate key social parameters (e.g. alignment, attraction) and infer their disruption from sonar exposure. This study highlights the utility of using non-invasive drone data to quantify dolphin behavior and to help mitigate the impact of ocean noise.
Aerial image of two Risso’s dolphins socializing off Santa Catalina Island, California. Image non-invasively collected using a multi-copter drone under NMFS Research Permit # 19091.