Sky surveys for Great Barrier Reef site stewardship
Marine biologists are using drone technology and high-resolution aerial imagery to map and monitor the health of the Great Barrier Reef. This initiative supports long-term stewardship and provides data for environmental management policies.
Why it matters
The use of advanced geospatial technology for reef conservation is vital for tracking the impacts of climate change and informing adaptive management strategies for marine ecosystems.
Quicksilver Group’s Reef Biosearch marine biologists took advantage of one of the lowest astronomical tides of the year to capture high-resolution aerial imagery.
The surveys were conducted over two days at Agincourt Reef 3, Moore Reef and Michaelmas Cay, using GEONadir software for advanced reef mapping and impact assessment.
The combination of exceptionally low tides, low winds and clear skies provided the ideal opportunity to capture detailed aerial imagery of reef areas that are normally underwater.
“The drone surveys are designed to build a detailed spatial record of each reef site, creating high-resolution imagery that can be used alongside in-water observations and other scientific monitoring programs,” said Quicksilver Group Environment and Compliance Manager, Phil Coulthard.
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