State wildlife managers plan to use drone flight technology to assist in surveying seal and sea lion habitat and populations along the state’s coast and inland waters, according to agency officials.

This fall, Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife (WDFW) research teams will fly drones in the Dosewallips, Duckabush and Nisqually river estuaries to count harbor seals. These drone flights will occur a few times per month and are scheduled to continue through October 2025.

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

These and future drone flights will be conducted over known haul outs and seal and sea lion habitats in coastal and marine waters, as well as in rivers and estuaries where seals and sea lions are found.

Where access may be restricted or additional regulations apply, WDFW will obtain appropriate permissions and/or permits before conducting operations.

WDFW officials said no flights will occur over private land without prior approval from the landowner. WDFW drone operators also will consider potential impacts to user groups in the flight area, such as hunters, anglers, or recreationalists, when planning flights.