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Assessing the impact of drones on whale sharks

Phys · · 522 words · By Murdoch University
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What to know about Assessing the impact of drones on whale sharks

A new study published in the journal Ecosphere found that drones flown overhead at heights between 10 and 60 meters are unlikely to disturb whale sharks. The research used biotelemetric tags to track the sharks' natural behavior while drones were flown nearby. Researchers stressed that while the findings are encouraging for whale sharks, a precautionary approach is still necessary, and other species may be more sensitive.

Propaganda risk 5%
Claims checked 8
Techniques found 0
Topics 0

Coverage spectrum

Coverage gap: Low Left coverage
Left0%
Center100%
Right0%

6 sources compared across this story cluster. This is an eFinder estimate from indexed source coverage, not an editorial rating.

What happened

Assessing the impact of drones on whale sharks Lisa Lock scientific editor Andrew Zinin lead editor In recent years, using drones for wildlife research has proven to be a valuable tool in collecting data for population surveys, observing behavior and…

Why it matters

A new study led by Murdoch University has found that drones flown above the ocean are unlikely to disturb whale sharks, the world's largest fish.

Common ground

The findings are published in the journal Ecosphere.

Perspective signals

No major persuasion pattern has been attached yet, so the source, headline, and evidence should carry most of the weight for readers.

A new study published in the journal Ecosphere found that drones flown overhead at heights between 10 and 60 meters are unlikely to disturb whale sharks. The research used biotelemetric tags to track the sharks' natural behavior while drones were flown nearby. Researchers stressed that while the findings are encouraging for whale sharks, a precautionary approach is still necessary, and other species may be more sensitive.

open_in_new Read the original article: https://phys.org/news/2026-04-impact-drones-whale-sharks.html

analyticsAnalysis

5%
Propaganda Score
confidence: 95%
Low risk. This article shows minimal use of propaganda techniques.

fact_checkClaims Checked

eFinder analyzed this article and checked 8 claims against available evidence, cross-references, web search, and Wikipedia. Here is what the fact-checking layer found.

info Single Source 5
check_circle Corroborated 3
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Claim 1: “The study was the first to use biotelemetric data to assess the effects of drones on the natural behavior of water-breathing marine species, rather than relying on observation, which can be biased.”
CORROBORATED
Multiple web search results state that the study was the first to use biotelemetric data to assess the effects of drones on the natural behavior of water-breathing marine species, confirming the key methodological novelty of the research.
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web search NEUTRAL — Apr 1, 2026 · This study is the first to use biotelemetric data to assess the effects of drones on the natural behavior of a water-breathing marine species.
https://esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/…
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web search NEUTRAL — 12 hours ago · The study was the first to use biotelemetric data to assess the effects of drones on the natural behavior of water-breathing marine species, rather than relying on observation, which ca…
https://phys.org/news/2026-04-impact-drones-whale-sharks.htm…
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web search NEUTRAL — Drones have already been used in studies of the world's largest fish, the whale shark (Rhincodon typus), but their effects on the species are yet to be quantified. This study is the first to use biote…
https://doaj.org/article/b9df3850222345448824b052dcf37c44
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Claim 2: “The findings are published in the journal Ecosphere.”
SINGLE SOURCE
Multiple web results mention the journal 'Ecosphere' in the context of publishing scientific articles, but none of the provided evidence confirms that the specific findings mentioned in the claim were published in this journal.
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web search NEUTRAL — 2026 overview of the journal Ecosphere. Explore impact factor, rankings, scope, publisher details, and key research areas based on Research.com journal data.
https://research.com/journal/ecosphere
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web search NEUTRAL — And to those that were part of the Explore team from the beginning: Jason McGuigan, Jason Cooper, Anna Carolina Queiroz, Ph.D, Jeremy Bailenson, Monica Arés, Becky Carroll, PT Tambe, Kris Severson, Ri…
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/erikawoolsey_new-paper-publis…
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web search NEUTRAL — Journal Articles. Peer-reviewed, published results are the "currency" of science. This is the culmination of the scientific method in practice.This Special Issue of the journal Ecosphere highlights sc…
https://www.nps.gov/subjects/science/journalarticles.htm
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Claim 3: “The research team attached motion-sensing tags to 13 whale sharks at the Ningaloo Reef in Western Australia, which recorded data on their swimming effort, tail movement, and diving behavior—which can indicate stress, agitation, or an attempt to escape.”
CORROBORATED
Multiple web search results confirm that researchers tagged and tracked whale sharks at Ningaloo Reef in Western Australia, and that the tags recorded data on their movements and behavior.
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web search NEUTRAL — Using technology akin to a "fitbit" for sharks, a team of researchers has tagged and tracked whale sharks to study the effects of tourism at Ningaloo Reef in Western Australia for the first time.
https://phys.org/news/2024-02-edge-tracking-technology-austr…
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web search NEUTRAL — Whale sharks tagged off Ningaloo Reef travel up to 1,501 km northeast into the Indian Ocean.2003) or the particle filter (Royer et al. 2005); or (4) matching tag sea surface temperature (SST) records w…
https://www.academia.edu/26229960/Movements_of_whale_sharks_…
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web search NEUTRAL — Researchers have tracked 13 whale sharks tagged at Ningaloo Reef in 2010. (Supplied: Brad Norman). abc.net.au/news/whale-sharks-tracked-from-ningaloo-reef-murdoch-university-study/7297718. Link copied…
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-04-04/whale-sharks-tracked-…
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Claim 4: “Drone flights conducted for this research were allowed under a permit granted by the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.”
SINGLE SOURCE
The evidence shows that the WA Department of Biodiversity, Conservation, and Attractions is involved in conservation efforts and research (e.g., the photo caption), but none of the provided web results explicitly confirm that the specific drone flights for this research were permitted by this department.
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web search NEUTRAL — Madagascar is widely regarded for its exceptional biodiversity, which has evolved over 80 million years in near total isolation. More than 80% of all plants and 90% of all animals found on the island …
https://phys.org/news/2024-08-drone-flights-3d-scans-scienti…
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web search NEUTRAL — # Conservation Efforts The Aravali Biodiversity Park is not just a space for recreation; it plays a vital role in conservation. The park employs sustainable practices to maintain its ecosystems and ed…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9XOrDSIJQI
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web search NEUTRAL — Photo: Colleen Sims/WA Department of Biodiversity, Conservation, Attractions. Scandinavian arctic fox (Vulpes lagopus): the species has seen huge declines due to the fur trade. It now has smaller popu…
https://www.sydney.edu.au/news-opinion/news/2025/01/30/landm…
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Claim 5: “A new study led by Murdoch University has found that drones flown above the ocean are unlikely to disturb whale sharks, the world's largest fish.”
SINGLE SOURCE
While multiple web results discuss whale sharks and drone research, none of the provided evidence explicitly links a study led by Murdoch University to the finding that drones are unlikely to disturb whale sharks. The evidence is too general to corroborate this specific claim.
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web search NEUTRAL — The whale shark's flattened head sports a blunt snout above its mouth with short barbels protruding from its nostrils. Its back and sides are gray to brown with white spots among pale vertical and hor…
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/fish/facts/whale-…
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web search NEUTRAL — A new study found that since the Industrial Revolution, humans have been adding a significant amount of noise pollution to oceans that is stressing marine life and disrupting their behavior.
https://www.dailymail.com/sciencetech/article-9241287/Human-…
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web search NEUTRAL — The size of the shark's teeth has led to some confusion as to how big this long-extinct species could grow to (Credit: Getty Images). Some of this uncertainty may be down to the differences between ju…
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20230801-megalodon-the-su…
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Claim 6: “While the sharks were being tracked, a drone was flown directly above them at different heights between 10 and 60 meters, including while the drone ascended and descended.”
SINGLE SOURCE
The provided evidence does not contain specific details about the drone flight parameters (e.g., flying directly above, heights between 10 and 60 meters) in multiple sources. While the context implies drone flights occurred, the specific details of the flight path and altitude are not corroborated.
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web search NEUTRAL — The whale shark is an active filter feeder, primarily consuming plankton, krill, fish eggs, and small schooling fish such as sardines and anchovies. The shark can process over 6,000 liters of water pe…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whale_shark
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web search NEUTRAL — ID: 3346962MANDATORY ONSCREEN CREDIT - Antonio Di Franca & Simone MusumeciA brave team of divers performed an incredible rescue of a whale shark that had bec...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGmtjeuEtow
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web search NEUTRAL — Scientists flew drones with petri dishes above several species of whales in northern seas to collect samples of whale blow, which they tested for four different viruses.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/02/science/arctic-drones-wha…
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Claim 7: “We found no evidence that drones disturbed whale sharks when flown overhead at heights between 10 and 60 meters.”
SINGLE SOURCE
The claim summarizes the study's main finding (no evidence of disturbance), which is consistent with the general context of the evidence, but the specific conclusion ('found no evidence that drones disturbed whale sharks when flown overhead at heights between 10 and 60 meters') is not explicitly repeated or corroborated by multiple independent sources.
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web search NEUTRAL — The study found that males on average reach 8 to 9 meters (26 to 30 ft) in length. The same study had less female data but estimated an average length of around 14.5 m (48 ft). This value dropped to 1…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whale_shark
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web search NEUTRAL — Cannabis found on Judahite temple altar (2020).
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/03344355.2020.1…
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web search NEUTRAL — These responses appeared to be particularly common when the drone was flown at low altitudes, around 20 meters above the water. We were concerned that this disturbance could impact our ability to stud…
https://theconversation.com/drones-gather-new-and-useful-dat…
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Claim 8: “Under Western Australian law, drones used for commercial and recreational purposes "must not disturb wildlife" and must maintain a separation distance of 60 m from whale sharks and marine mammals.”
CORROBORATED
Two separate web search results confirm the legal requirements in Western Australia regarding drone use, specifically mentioning the need not to disturb wildlife and the required separation distance of 60m from marine mammals and whale sharks.
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web search NEUTRAL — Your drone must not disturb wildlife or create a danger or nuisance for other park visitors. Please keep in mind: There is a required separation distance of 60m between a drone and whale sharks, whale…
https://exploreparks.dbca.wa.gov.au/drones-parks
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web search NEUTRAL — Drone laws WA explained clearly. Learn the rules for flying drones in Western Australia, including Perth, RePL, ReOC requirements and compliance.
https://www.flyingglass.com.au/drone-laws-wa-western-austral…
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web search NEUTRAL — The annual whale migration along Western Australia's south coast is underway and photographers and videographers are at the ready to capture footage and images of the gentle giants. A distance of ...
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-05-19/wa-whale-migration-pr…
info Disclaimer: This analysis is generated by AI and should be used as a starting point for critical thinking, not as definitive truth. Claims are verified against publicly available sources. Always consult the original article and additional sources for complete context.