How Travel Drones Can Support Beach Cleanups
Photo by Saffu
Climate change and human activities endanger the lives of many different types of species both on land and sea. Given that $44 trillion of the global economy is generated by ecosystems, if biodiversity is harmed then we will all feel the consequences.
Plastic waste is everywhere — it’s even washed up on the beaches from distant, uninhabited islands within the South Pacific to the coasts of Antarctica. While the effects on coastal residents are already detrimental, those affecting marine life are nothing short of terrifying. Plastic entangles turtles, seagulls and other aquatic species including fish who often mistake it for food. As a result, even humans — the ones responsible for this plastic crisis — are starting to experience health problems linked to pollution.
While it’s easy to feel small in the face of such an existential issue, you can make a difference by keeping your local beach area clean to reduce the impact of waste on marine life.
7 Best Drones for Beach Cleanup in 2023
Many manufacturers have built drones to aid marine life observation and safety. Below are some brands to look out for:
DJI Mini 3 Pro: This drone is best known for its folding feature.
Autel EVO Nano: Often the best choice for video capture.
Holy Stone HS720E: Its unique GPS feature makes it a good buy for tracking wildlife.
DJI Air 2S: This drone copes well with wind gusts.
DJI Mini SE: If you ever run out of battery for your other devices, this drone could serve as a charger.
DJI Mavic 3: This drone has a dual camera and is known for its high-quality pictures.
Ruko F11: This drone comes with a bonus battery.
How Tourists Can Use Drones to Support a Beach Cleanup
Tourists can track the locations of plastic pollution using drones with cameras to determine the kind of plastic, its volume and even the waste's brand or country of origin using computer software and picture recognition. Travelers can also fly drones through large water bodies, which as a citizen science tool could help aid in monitoring pollution and marine life. However, before doing so, team up with a conservation organization and do your research to know if your drone can go underwater before doing so.
By joining in on conservation effort, tourists can use drones with HD cameras to scan beaches worldwide for trash and pollution. One of the ways more extensive conservation networks can address this issue is by encouraging tourists to post images on social media to educate other people about the dangers of plastic waste. People have uploaded thousands of images thus far all around the world, all thanks to the work of many volunteers.
Other uses in conservation
Drones aren't just being used to clear beaches — they're also helping to clear oceans and save marine life. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration uses drones to help rescue whales for instance that have tangled in fishing nets and other maritime debris.
Besides conservation efforts, drones can also be used to give tourists an unclose look at marine biodiversity without causing the types of disturbances that can occur. Thousands of humpback whales travel to Hawaii's warm waters every year from November through May to spend the winter there. To reduce any disturbance they might get from tourists, drones have been manufactured to give people a closer look at these magnificent animals.
Make an impact
As you have seen in this article, there are many way that you could support biodiversity health and a clean beach by bringing your drone along when you travel. Next time you’re in a coastal area, participate in various volunteer initiatives and beach cleanup activities bringing your travel drone along. Remember, even if you cannot find a nearby volunteer group, you can always clean up the beach on your own!
Sea Going Green aims to inspire tourists to take action in their very own communities long after their stay. By helping tourism accommodations and operators come up with forward thinking and cutting edge activities and experience, tourists return back home ready to make a difference no matter how big or small.
Want to include these types of experiences in your tourism catalog? Get in touch