DOI drone order creates confusion for Cape Cod shark researchers

The Department of the Interior’s drone order, which temporarily halted all non-emergency unmanned aircraft systems fleet operations, creates confusion for shark researchers in Cape Cod who use drones to spot and study sharks along the coastline. The Cape Cod National Seashore is administered by the National Park Service, which in turn is an operating unit of the Department of the Interior.

DOI drone order creates confusion for Cape Cod shark researchers

The Cape Cod Times reports that when state Division of Marine Fisheries senior scientist Gregory Skomal applied to the Cape Cod National Seashore last winter for a permit to use tethered balloons equipped with sophisticated cameras as part of his great white shark research, he never thought a trade war and intellectual property fight with would be the main reasons it was denied.

The decision shows the extend of the Department of the Interior’s drone order from earlier this year that apparently not only impacts drone use but also other forms of unmanned aviation such as balloons.

โ€œWe know that drones are a very mature solution for detecting sharks in shallow or deep water,โ€ said Heather Doyle, co-founder of Cape Cod Ocean Community, which pushes for technological and other solutions to help detect great white sharks. โ€œWe understand the regulation, but we will pursue unmanned aircraft systems when permissible,โ€ she said, according to the Cape Cod Times.

The regulation Doyle refers to is theย order issued Jan. 29 by Interior Secretary David Bernhardt that temporarily grounded the 800-drone fleet in his agency except for emergency use to โ€œensure the cybersecurity and supply of American technology of unmanned aircraft systems.โ€

Doi Drone Order Creates Confusion For Cape Cod Shark Researchers 1

Along with grounding the drone fleet of the Department of the Interior, the order prohibits the use of unmanned aircraft use by scientists and others who had a contract, grant or agreement with the Interior Department.

The camera-equipped balloons are produced by Miami-based Altametry. Joseph Ciampa, the vice president of the company said that they do use DJI optics and controller technology, however he stated that there is no risk of losing control of the cameras or balloons of the collecting of sensitive data by hackers since there is no wireless connections or satellite technology. He added that the company is moving away from Chinese-made components in favor of 100% American-made hardware and software.

According to the article, there still is confusion about whether the order affects people flying drones in the national park as part of a shark spotting program. As of 2014, the National Park Service has banned the launching and landing of drones within the boundaries of their parks. This leaves open the possibility of taking off from private property or from outside of the park. The Cape Cod National Seashore is a patchwork of largely private and municipal property. Once a drone is in the air, only the rules and regulations of the Federal Aviation Administration () apply and it is not explicitly prohibited to fly over .

โ€œThey don’t control the airspace. I checked with the FAA on that,โ€ said Terry Burke, who works with Cape Cod Regional Technical High School students on a drone program.

Students and volunteers have been learning how to use drones for operations as well as shark spotting missions. They have launched their drones from boats offshore and from private property.

Burke sees the DOI drone order as a political response.

He said: โ€œEvery handheld radio they use has Chinese parts.โ€

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Haye Kesteloo
Haye Kesteloo

Haye Kesteloo is a leading drone industry expert and Editor in Chief of DroneXL.co and EVXL.co, where he covers drone technology, industry developments, and electric mobility trends. With over nine years of specialized coverage in unmanned aerial systems, his insights have been featured in The New York Times, The Financial Times, and cited by The Brookings Institute, Foreign Policy, Politico and others.

Before founding DroneXL.co, Kesteloo built his expertise at DroneDJ. He currently co-hosts the PiXL Drone Show on YouTube and podcast platforms, sharing industry insights with a global audience. His reporting has influenced policy discussions and been referenced in federal documents, establishing him as an authoritative voice in drone technology and regulation. He can be reached at haye @ dronexl.co or @hayekesteloo.

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