You can not tell from a photo how close it was. It could be a zoomed in shot or a cropped photo. The only way to know for sure is having GPS location of the drone and the whales at that point in time.
But it is well known that by paying a fee to appropriate departments, to get a permit, reduces any potential to cause harm. ?Many jurisdictions use the same rules they drew up in the late 1970s/early 1980s regarding planes and whales and just classify drones as aircraft.
It's ridiculous to suggest that a little electric drone, has a similar effect on a whale as a helicopter or Cessna.
Your drone has a similar impact to that of a seagull and the whale is about as likely to even notice it.
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Why 'Scientific' Permits Make a Mockery of the Drone Whale Laws in Australia - Andy Hutchinson
Drones are not harmful to whales or dolphins, unless ingested, so why all the ******** laws about flying near them?andyhutchinson.com.au
Just to be absolutely clear, that's not my video, eh.Beautifully photographed and I am confident it did not disturb the animal at all.
Agree with post above, here in NZ the rules re drones and wildlife aren't made by our aviation regulators ( Civil Aviation Authority - CAA ), they are rules imposed by our wildlife regulators ( Department of Conservation - DOC )Many jurisdictions use the same rules they drew up in the late 1970s/early 1980s regarding planes and whales and just classify drones as aircraft.
It's ridiculous to suggest that a little electric drone, has a similar effect on a whale as a helicopter or Cessna.
Your drone has a similar impact to that of a seagull and the whale is about as likely to even notice it.
![]()
Why 'Scientific' Permits Make a Mockery of the Drone Whale Laws in Australia - Andy Hutchinson
Drones are not harmful to whales or dolphins, unless ingested, so why all the ******** laws about flying near them?andyhutchinson.com.au
Do they have any proof whatsoever that overhead drones affect sea mammals?
My guess is that the overhead distance
No ... whales don't jump that high.My guess is that the overhead distance may not be about drones annoying the whales but would take into account when whales breach... they can come quite a way into the air, and it may be that the zone has been designed as a risk management measure to account for "worst case" scenario.
Right. The whales do not seem to care if you fly a drone close enough to collect their snot so long as it is an approved person at the controls.I find it interesting that there are many places that there are restrictions so you can not fly a drone because it disturbs wildlife and the environment, but you can pay $300 for a tour of the same area from a much larger and noisier helicopter.
How do we know it wouldn't notice a mavic at 30m? Can you point to the study?These distance rules are another example of drone regulations that are over the top. No doubt a left-over regulation from the days of those noisy model aircraft engines. A whale or dolphin wouldn't even notice a Mavic at 30m. 100 or 300m distance - that's just crazy! IMO
How do we know it wouldn't notice a mavic at 30m? Can you point to the study?
No .. the sound doesn't penetrate water.Do you recall if the sound penetrated at all? ...even if only inches?
There has been lots of research done and 2 minutes on Google will bring up quite a lot if you are interested.A couple that interest me could be difficult to observe
Maybe it would be a good idea to look into what's already been established before making your mind up.I think it's worth looking into before laws are drastically altered.
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