The Institute of Marine Research (Contracting Authority) intends to purchase a long endurance unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) with a high-quality camera, including the flight control station/system, for marine monitoring and research.Hovedtrekkene i prosedyrenThe Institute of Marine Research (Contracting Authority) intends to purchase a long endurance unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) with a high-quality camera, including the flight control station/system, for marine monitoring and research. The UAV will be an important part of IMR’s transition from traditional vessel-based coastal seal surveys using human observers and smaller, less capable UAVs, to more automated, effective and extensive surveys that eventually do not depend on vessel use to access/reach remote seal haul-out or pupping sites. The drone must be capable of following a pre-planned flight path, and taking high resolution photos of the area covered, that can later be used to count animals. Outside of seal surveys, the UAV will also be used to extend the IMR’s general capabilities in UAV based monitoring and research. The use of UAV is seen as an integral part of IMR’s so-called ‘Armada strategy’, where conventional ecosystem and fisheries surveys using large, fossil fuel demanding vessels will gradually be partially replaced by various alternative platforms, including autonomous vessels and vessels of opportunity.
