Seals are key indicators of ecosystem health so wildlife managers need effective ways to monitor seal behaviour and numbers in remote and inaccessible sites. The University of St Andrews Sea Mammal Research Unit develop their programme for surveying seals with static sensors at the designated seal haul out at Ythan Estuary, Forvie National Nature Reserve.
Autonomous Camera Monitoring (ACM) systems were used and operated operated remotely to provide 24hr coverage. Thermophile infrared array (TIA) sensors were also trialled and the ACM adapted to the Scottish climatic conditions with flexible solar panels. Longer deployments of the system were trialled to good effect, and a wide range of stakeholders will benefit from the findings; those interested in cost-effective monitoring seal numbers, regulators, researchers investigating seal behaviour and ecology, and local community groups and schools.
In 2023 SMEEF was able to provide a grant of £25,000 to support this work using resources from donations made by businesses to SMEEF.