How Washington plans to spy on seals, sea lions with drones

Starting this fall, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife will fly drones over the state’s coastal and inland waters to research and count seals and sea lions.

According to a press release, the flights will occur a few times a month and will continue through October 2025.

Drone operators will focus on the Nisqually, Dosewallips, and Duckabush river estuaries to count harbor seals.

“Counting these harbor seals will help WDFW estimate the consumption of salmon and steelhead by seals in these locations,” said Casey Clark, WDFW lead marine mammal researcher.

The drone flights will focus on known seal and sea lion habitat in coastal and marine waters as well as in rivers and estuaries. The state Department of Fish and Wildlife will consider potential impacts to wildlife users, such as hunters, anglers, or hikers, when planning flights.

No flights will take place over private land without the landowner’s permission, according to press release.