On the use of consumer-grade remotely piloted aircraft systems for monitoring shallow coral reefs in Colombia: Case Old Providence Island

This work addresses the initiative to use consumer-grade Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS), known as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) or drones, as potential instruments for the evaluation and monitoring of shallow coral reefs in Colombia. This initiative started with the construction of an interdisciplinary team that includes institutions from academia, the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development, a marine surveying private company, and a German research center. The test was conducted inside the Marine Protected Area (MPA) of Old Providence; an island that is located at the Archipelago of San Andrs, Providencia and Santa Catalina, which includes the Seaflower Biosphere Reserve (the third largest true barrier reef in the world). Field data were acquired by using two DJI RPAS: Phantom 4 Pro and Mavic Air, and geo-referenced diving. In this work, we show the potential for using such technologies with a geometrically corrected mosaic of images of Crab Cay, a small cay located inside the MPA. This project is the first of its kind within the Seaflower Reserve and may support technology-based data collection, increasing the quality of information that can be useful to make important decisions regarding ocean space utilization. Additionally, obtained images will be shared for the benefit of local communities, other stakeholders, and visitors, in a manner that opens up science to broader society, promoting outreach activities and educational tool via photos and videos.