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OUR COMPANY

United States
Louisiana Coastal Zone Survey

Louisiana Coastal Zone Survey

HiDef, in partnership with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) and Louisiana Delta Waterfowl, has completed data collection on a groundbreaking comparative study comparing traditional visual aerial survey methods for migratory waterfowl with HiDef’s bespoke Digital Aerial Survey (DAS) methodology.

The current survey method in Louisiana has State biologists flying at an altitude of 100 feet to count, identify and sex target waterfowl species. Flying visual surveys at such a low altitude carries inherent risks and does not result in auditable datasets. The HiDef method of DAS has survey aircraft flying at a higher (and much safer) 1650 feet while continuously recording high-definition video of all avian species encountered at 7 frames a second.  Given the State of Louisiana’s reliance on aerial survey counts to inform take limits on waterfowl hunting, it is imperative that administrators have the best and most accurate data available to them.

For this study HiDef and the LDWF aircraft flew the Louisiana Coastal Zone survey concurrently, with the HiDef aircraft flying in front at 1650 feet with the LDWF aircraft following at their usual 100-foot altitude.  Separation between aircraft ranged from 2-5 minutes, with an average separation time of approximately 3 minutes, or roughly 5 miles.  This relatively short separation time will allow for a robust comparison between visual and digital survey methods.

The goal of this study is to determine the accuracy of the traditional visual survey methodology when compared to digital aerial surveying, and to eventually calculate a correction factor to apply to historical visual survey data.

 

 

 

 

 

 

US client excited by whale footage

US client excited by whale footage

For the past year HiDef have been working with US consultancy BRI and the US governments Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM). The project has been focussed on the gulf of Maine and its exciting marine megafauna.

This has seen thousands of images collated, reviewed, and analysed.

These cover all taxa, and additionally man-made activities, such as the extensive lobster fishery in the area. A recent highlight however was locating two Fin whales in the area who performed well for the cameras.

Manatee release – a heartwarming winter story

Manatee release – a heartwarming winter story

HiDef’s Zack Johnson has a real affinity for the Florida wetlands, both at work and play, and attended an exciting Manatee release last week.

“I first met Reckless at the St. Lucie Lock and Dam during the Army Corps of Engineers’ lock restoration project in December of 2021, for which I was the lead protected species observer.  Reckless was trapped on the Lake Okeechobee side of the dam with up to 50 other manatees at one point, unable to get past the lock to their winter warm water sites.  We (Sea World / Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission) captured her in January and moved her to the other side of the lock.  She was heavily pregnant at the time and was estimated to weigh around 2500 lbs, and over 12 feet in length.

Approximately two weeks later Reckless was found near death with her left pectoral flipper almost completely amputated at the shoulder from a large boat strike.  She was also found to be with a newborn calf, Churro, who still had the umbilical cord attached when found.  Had she not had a newborn calf with her she likely would have been euthanized, but the effort to save her was made in order to give her calf the best chance of survival.  After nearly 2 years in rehab and over 12 surgeries and procedures later, she (and Churro) was returned to the wild near the Port Everglades power plant.  Both animals wear radio tracking tags and will be checked bi-weekly by biologists to make sure they are still doing well. ”

It’s 2024 and HiDef has a busy year ahead in North America

It’s 2024 and HiDef has a busy year ahead in North America

It’s 2024 and HiDef has a busy year ahead in North America.

Last year we partnered with Williams Aerial and Mapping, a full-service photogrammetric mapping and geospatial, data firm, with over 100 years of combined experience in the aerial survey marketplace.

We are excited to be working closely with Williams and look forward to the year ahead.

Contact Zack Johnson if we can help you out in the US or Canada.

 

HiDef fly high in the U.S!

HiDef are expanding our services across North America. Zack Johnson our North America Program Manager is currently working with existing clients and seeking out new clients in the region.

If you are in the North America and want to discuss your projects, please get in touch with Zack who would be more than happy to help and answer any questions you may have.

Email: zack.johnson@hidefsurveying.co.uk

Contact number: +1(904) 716 3709

 

ADDRESS:

The Observatory,

Dobies Business Park,

Lillyhall, Workington,

Cumbria, CA14 4HX

Tel: 01946 814463

Registered in England and Wales No. 5587044

Registered Office: The Observatory, Dobies Business Park, Lillyhall, Workington, Cumbria, CA14 4HX

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