Currently, Hodgson and her researchers are working with Boeing’s Institu Pacific (a defense division of the global aircraft giant that utilizes drones for military and commercial applications) and hoping to benefit from the advantages of the unmanned crafts.

UAVs can fly at attitudes approaching 6000 meters (around 18,000 feet) and have an operational power source that lasts up to 28 hours allowing surveys of cetaceans to be conducted in ways that traditional airplanes cannot.

“Large areas of the Australia coastline have never been surveyed for dugongs or humpback whales and UAVs capable of flying long distances may allow us to access these remote areas.”

Murdoch’s studies are only in their first stages, but conservationists are hopeful the data collected will go far in replenishing depleting whale, dolphin and dugong numbers in Australian waters.