Why we chose transects over drones

We were asked more than once why the teams swim transects when a drone could photograph a reef in minutes. Three reasons.

Depth. At five metres the surface glare hides most of what matters; a drone sees the reef flat, a surveyor sees it alive.Ownership. A count you made yourself is a count you can defend in front of the district.Cost. Six survey kits cost less than one survey-grade drone, and nothing needs flying permits.

Drones may still have a place for mapping the wider bay later on.