Whales and dolphins today face more threats than ever before. If we want to protect these animals, we need bold, non-invasive, and innovative solutions to collect better data. Dr. Iain Kerr and the team at Ocean Alliance believe that the solution is drones!

SnotBot® is a modified consumer drone that flies through the blow of a whale and collects exhaled “snot” on petri dishes. This blow contains a treasure trove of biological information: DNA, stress and pregnancy hormones, and other indicators of the animal’s health and ecology. Best of all, the whale doesn’t even know we are collecting data: This non-invasive tool that is safer for the animals and cheaper and more effective for the user.

Join us on a voyage of discovery about marine life and science innovations with Dr. Kerr and learn more about SnotBot®!

Dr. Iain Kerr began his career at Ocean Alliance as a volunteer and has grown with the organization over the last 34 years. He is listed as author on over 100 scientific papers and has ensured that Ocean Alliance messages reach the general public through international television and films. Iain has led international conservation research efforts across the globe. As a result of exposing illegal sea cucumber fishing in the Galapagos, Iain received the SOS Grand Blue award in 1994. Iain was awarded the Chevron Conservation Award in 2006 and in 2014 the Annenberg Foundation listed Iain as one of 25 visionary leaders. In 2013, Iain recognized that drones could be the future of whale research and conservation. He has a Bachelor of Education Degree from the University of London and a D.H.L. from the University of Southern Maine.

Learn more about Ocean Alliance at whale.org.