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Whale of a brickbat for drone operators harassing marine life

By The Tribune Editorial Board
Hexacopter pilot John Durban holds a drone used to photograph migrating gray whales at Piedras Blancas. Some drones, such as this one, help marine mammals by adding important observations. In amateur hands, however, they can get too close and pose a threat to the animals.
Hexacopter pilot John Durban holds a drone used to photograph migrating gray whales at Piedras Blancas. Some drones, such as this one, help marine mammals by adding important observations. In amateur hands, however, they can get too close and pose a threat to the animals. David Middlecamp Cambrian file photo

The superintendent of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary is impressively diplomatic when he talks about drone operators who fly equipment too close to protected marine mammals, possibly breaking the law. (The sanctuary includes four overflight restriction zones.)

Most drone operators, according to sanctuary Superintendent Paul Michel, are “pretty innocent, unaware that they’re doing anything wrong.”

To our less forgiving way of thinking, that flies in the face of the concept that ignorance of the law is no excuse. If you’re going to ride a bicycle, drive a car or operate a flying machine, shouldn’t it be incumbent on you to learn the rules of the road — even it that road happens to be the sky?

But enough of our harping.

Michel and other wildlife advocates are trying to get the word out about overflight restrictions in the marine sanctuary. (For more information, go to http://montereybay.noaa.gov/resourcepro/resmanissues/aircraft.html.)

They are talking to media — there was a front-page story in Monday’s Tribune — and they’re reaching out to drone clubs. They also are keeping an eye on social media and contacting posters when they spot suspicious videos shot over sanctuary waters.

Their efforts earn a sea of flowers delivered by drone (provided it doesn’t have to pass over restricted areas). And now that the word is circulating, no more excuses: Aside from any legal consequences, harassment-by-drone in marine sanctuary waters will earn culprits a barnacled-encrusted, whale-of-a-brickbat drenched in brine.

This story was originally published March 31, 2016 at 3:11 PM with the headline "Whale of a brickbat for drone operators harassing marine life."

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