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Spotting sharks from the sky: 'Smart balloons' give new perspective

ORLEANS, Mass. — Smart balloons may soon give shark researchers on Cape Cod a closer look at what's happening close to our beaches.

At least three white sharks were spotted off Nauset Beach in Orleans just this week.

Shark biologist Dr. Greg Skomal told Boston 25 Meteorologist Sarah Wroblewski, that currently, his team relies on a complex process for tagging sharks.

“The first thing we have is the spotter plane in the air locating the shark, but then the captain of the boat has to put you close to it. And the shark has to cooperate,” Dr. Skomal said.

Skomal pointed out that a plane can't monitor the water all day and night.

“The balloon technology is really interesting, it's a fixed aerial system which is great, it gives us a bird's-eye view much like the plane does, only I don't need the plane in the air flying,” said Skomal.

What makes smart balloons so special

The smart balloon carries transmission, sensing devices and a camera. It can be as high as 400 feet in the air while tethered to an anchor or a person on the ground and can stay steady even in windy conditions. Different cameras can be attached, including an infrared camera, which allows anything that pops out of the water at night to be detected.

Altametry tested their new technology on Cape Cod for the last two weeks.

"It goes up faster, it costs less, stays up longer, and its less obtrusive than any other drone or aircraft,”  said John Ciampa, Altametry CEO.

Last week’s study spotted several seals, close to surfers and swimmers. The engineers hope it will give them the same eye in the sky for tracking sharks.

“We can cover a mile and a half and still see a shark," said Ciampa.

Helping beach goers stay safe from a distance

The images can be streamed live on Facebook, a web server or smartphone app, making it possible for someone on the beach or anywhere in the world to see what's going on in the water.

“I also think there is a public safety component. It would be a great way to see what is going on at the beach and what is going on near the shore,” said Dr. Skomal.

Area residents tell Boston 25 News, they like that idea.

“This is very exciting.  I just looked at the view you get from the spotter plane so that is what you're getting from that balloon, so I think its brilliant,” said East Orleans resident Taffy McGann.

The Atlantic White Shark Conservancy has only funded the testing phase that wrapped up this week. It is up to individual towns to determine if they feel the technology is viable for them to use for spotting sharks in the future.

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