Suction-cup tagging whales from the sky
Updated: Jun 2
Blog written by: Lars Bejder
Since 2019, members of the MMRP have been deploying non-invasive suction-cup accelerometry tags across a diverse suite of species in Hawaiʻi and abroad, including humpback whales, gray whales, pilot whales, false killer whales, and monk seals. Our efforts have focused on quantifying their energetic expenditure and energetic requirements, while simultaneously quantifying vocal behavior and fine-scale movement kinematics. Traditionally, we have been approaching the animals from behind via boats and deploying tags via a 7-meter carbon fiber pole (see previous blog: https://www.mmrphawaii.org/post/tagging-expedition-revealing-the-delicate-nursing-behavior-of-humpback-whale-calves).
However, recently we have transitioned to tagging whales from the sky…. Yes, recent technological advances are allowing us to tag whales via our drones. This method has several advantages: it is safer for the whales and safer for us humans. We do not need to get close to the whales to tag them (in fact, we now tag whales that are several hundred meters from the research vessel), so we don’t disturb them. Additionally, we are able to tag whales that we previously were not able to approach and get close to (some whales are more skittish than others). This opens up many new opportunities for low-impact research on whales and dolphins to inform on their conservation and management. EXCITING TIMES!
Drone-tagging season off Maui 2026
Our first drone-tagging expedition occurred in February 2026 off Maui, Hawaii, where we successfully deployed biologging tags on humpback whales. We were extremely fortunate to work with Julian Dale, from O3ST Limited, who provided a wealth of knowledge and expertise on this subject (thank you, Julian!). Our field season focused on using NDAA-compliant drones (U.S. government-compliant drones that meet federal security standards) to deploy Customized Animal Tracking Solution (CATS) accelerometer tags on humpback whales.
The system was very successful and allowed for a less invasive and safer tag deployment method. Twenty-two tags were deployed: seven tags were deployed on lactating females, one on a calf, and 14 on adult males. In addition, the system also allowed us to deploy and test a heart rate sensor (via the CATS tags) as part of a collaboration with Dr. Angelo Torrente (Institute of Functional Genomics, University of Montpellier) and Dr. Andreas Fahlman (Fundación Oceanográfica, Valencia, Spain). A total of seven heart rate tags were deployed across age and sex classes. These heart rate sensors provide valuable information on the dive physiology and stress levels of free-ranging animals that can be used to more directly measure the physiological costs of disturbance.
Why Are These Tag Data So Valuable?
Collectively, these tag data-streams provide a mechanistic bridge between individual-level processes and population-level outcomes that is directly relevant to management. High-resolution estimates of activity-specific energy expenditure, when coupled with behavioral state classification, allow us to quantify how animals allocate energy across different behaviors such as foraging, traveling and reproduction. This, in turn, enables us to identify behavioral states that are energetically costly or critical to fitness, and therefore most vulnerable to disturbance. When integrated with long-term photo-identification data, drone-derived body condition metrics, and environmental covariates, these datasets provide a robust foundation for parameterizing theoretical framework, such as Population Consequences of Disturbance (PCOD/PCoMS), with empirical data.
From an applied perspective, these tools allow managers to move beyond coarse proxies of exposure toward quantifying the actual biological consequences of disturbance. For example, accelerometry-derived energy budgets, from the tag data, can be used to estimate lost foraging opportunities, movement costs, or energetic consequences of altered resting behavior under varying exposure scenarios (e.g., vessel traffic, sonar, tourism pressure). These individual-level impacts can be propagated through bioenergetic and demographic models to forecast effects on survival, reproductive success, and ultimately population trajectories. Such forecasts are essential for evaluating mitigation strategies, setting evidence-based thresholds (e.g., allowable disturbance levels), and refining stock assessments and Potential Biological Removal (PBR) calculations by the Federal Government.
If you would like to read more about related tagging projects, please visit the following blogs!
Funding:
The Maui 2026 field work is part of a project funded by the Office of Naval Research and the Navy’s Living Marine Resources program. We received additional support from Dolphin Quest and via philanthropy, including donations from JP and Dalia Maheu, Benjy Garfinkle, Kristin and Larry Link, and Paul and Elle Stephens.
Permits:
All of our research activities are conducted under Federal Permits.
If you’d like to support our research, please click the blue button below — any donation, big or small, makes a meaningful difference in helping us protect these incredible animals. Mahalo for being part of this work!
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