![\"Motion-sensing](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/4d1c742926beaaf5d1866f62d8994dded42cff7f.jpg\")
Camera IconMotion-sensing tags were attached to whale sharks. Credit: Supplied<\/p>\nA new study led by Murdoch University has found the world\u2019s largest fish are continuing to have a whale of a time despite drones being flown above the ocean.<\/p>\n
Drones have been used to collect data for whale shark population surveys, observing behaviour and measuring animals\u2019 physical dimensions.<\/p>\n
But as they become more common in wildlife research, researchers wanted to make sure the drones weren\u2019t changing animals\u2019 natural behaviour.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe know drones can affect some marine animals like whales, dolphins and seabirds, but those responses vary a lot between species and situations, and have typically been measured only by observation,\u201d lead researcher Dr Samantha Reynolds, from Murdoch University\u2019s Harry Butler Institute, said.<\/p>\n
The study was the first to use biotelemetric data to assess the effects of drones on the natural behaviour of water-breathing marine species, rather than relying on observation, which can be biased.<\/p>\n
The research team attached motion-sensing tags to 13 whale sharks at the Ningaloo Reef, which recorded data on their swimming effort, tail movement and diving behaviour, which can indicate stress, agitation or an attempt to escape.<\/p>\n
While the sharks were being tracked, a drone was flown directly above them at different heights between 10m and 60m, including while the drone ascended and descended.<\/p>\n
Camera IconMotion-sensing tags were attached to whale sharks. Credit: Supplied<\/p>\n
The team then compared the tagged data with periods when no drone was flying above the whale sharks.<\/p>\n
Dr Reynolds said the results were encouraging.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe found no evidence that drones disturbed whale sharks when flown overhead at heights between 10 and 60 metres,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe whale sharks behaved the same way with a drone overhead as they did normally.\u201d<\/p>\n
Dr Reynolds said the study should provide confidence to researchers and managers that drones were a minimally invasive research tool for whale sharks but emphasised that a precautionary approach was still essential<\/p>\n
\u201cAlthough we couldn\u2019t detect any effects on whale sharks, it is possible there might be physiological effects that weren\u2019t measured in this particular study, or that drones could impact whale sharks during different behaviours such as feeding,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe findings also apply specifically to whale sharks. Other species in the same ecosystem, such as seabirds, turtles, dolphins, and whales, are known to be more sensitive to drones and may respond very differently.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhile our results are reassuring for whale sharks, they don\u2019t mean drones are risk\u2011free. We still recommend a precautionary approach \u2014 flying as high and as briefly as possible and only using drones when they genuinely add value.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"An](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/eab5669cec98f3f568516897267caf0a0b4965a5.jpg\")
Camera IconAn image of a whaleshark in the Ningaloo Reef captured via a drone. Credit: Murdoch University<\/p>\n
Under WA law, drones used for commercial and recreational purposes must not disturb wildlife and be 60m from whale sharks and marine mammals.<\/p>\n
Drone flights conducted for this research were allowed under a permit granted by the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.<\/p>\n