BEAUFORT -- Duke and UNC Chapel Hill researchers hope drones in the air will be able to track predators lurking in the water below.
Researchers are testing drones to locate, track and study bonnethead sharks.
"We're mostly concerned with the ecology of sharks and the conservation of those species," said Dave Johnston, director of the Unoccupied Systems Facility at Duke’s Marine Lab in Beaufort, North Carolina.
Researchers want to know if the drones can detect sharks in different habitats and water conditions. Up until now, researchers have relied on planes to get the information. But drones equipped with cameras are proving to be just as reliable.
"They allow us to generate imagery of these coastal areas at resolutions that we've never been able to before," said Johnston.
Their research will not only be useful for shark lovers, but also for beachgoers. As the summer approaches, so does the concern for shark bites. Researchers say drones being able to find out where the sharks are could be key to reducing shark bites.
"But there is also the potential that could be used for assessing whether or not there are sharks in water where people might be nearby," said Johnston.
Researchers say more testing needs to be done before they completely rely on drones. The North Carolina Aquariums funded the study.