Tracking technologies
Tracking technologies
Acoustic telemetry
Acoustic telemetry uses acoustic signals (also called ‘pings’) which propagate into the water, and are detected by acoustic receivers. Each tag has a specific set of ‘pings’ which are associated with a specific ID, allowing us to identify which animal was detected. The tags come in different sizes depending on the size of the animal you wish to tag, though smaller tags have a shorter battery life. This approach is by far the most widely used telemetry method. Check out this video to find out more about acoustic telemetry, how it works, and why it's useful!
Pros |
Cons |
|---|---|
Used in both freshwater & saltwater |
Tag life limited in smaller tags |
Can reveal fine-scale behaviour |
Receiver deployments & maintenance can be expensive |
Can be combined with other sensors (depth, temperature, activity) |
Images: Acoustic tag (left); acoustic receivers (right).
PIT telemetry
PIT (Passive Integrated Transponder) telemetry is used to identify and follow individuals, typically as they migrate in and out of rivers, or over artificial barriers such as dams. The tag is detected once an animal is in close proximity to an antenna. The antenna passively charges the tag, causing the tag to emit a signal specific to an ID. This means that the tag has no battery, and can last for several decades. Watch this video to find out more about PIT telemetry.
Pros |
Cons |
|---|---|
Tag lasts for decades |
Can only be used in specific locations where for example the river is shallow and narrow enough |
Inexpensive, so studies are not financially hindered |
Only tells you that the fish has passed the antenna, no information on specific behaviour like depth use |
Can be used to tag small fish where other tags are still too large |
Image: PIT tags.
Radio telemetry
Radio telemetry uses radio signals, which propagate both into the water and air, and are detected by radio receivers. Each tag emits a signal with a unique ID, enabling recognition of individual fish. The tags come in different sizes, depending on the size of the animal you wish to tag. The smaller tags have a shorter battery life and often a shorter range. Watch this video to find out more about radio telemetry.
Pros |
Cons |
|---|---|
Antennas in air can receive the signals, so large areas can be surveyed for tagged fish by use of airplane & cars |
Can only be used in freshwater |
Can reveal fine-scale behaviour |
Shape of tags well-suited for both internal and external attachments |
Can have multiple sensors, and archival capacity |
Does not work well when the fish is in deep water |
Image: Radio tags.
Archival telemetry
Archival tags (data storage tags, DST), are tags with sensors that store the recorded information in the tag. There is usually no transmission of signals in the field, and the tag needs to be retrieved to be able to downloaded stored data, usually by recapturing the fish. Alternatively, DSTs with floats have been developed. When the fish dies, the tag will rise to the surface and may drift to shore and be found and returned to the labeled address. Check out this video to find out more about archival telemetry.
Pros |
Cons |
|---|---|
Useful when tracking is expensive, impractical or impossible due to environmental conditions or habitat size |
Need to retrieve the tag |
Tags available with different sensors recording different parameters, including water depth, temperature, light, salinity, three-dimensional tilt angle, and earth’s magnetic field strength (compass) |
Mostly data from surviving individuals |
Long-term studies |
No direct info on horizontal location (but can roughly be estimated for tags with light sensors) |
Images: two archival data storage tags, with different types of floats attached to them.
Satellite telemetry
Pop-up satellite archival tags (PSAT) enable large scale ocean migration studies of large fishes. The tags collect information on light, pressure (depth) and water temperature. After a pre-programmed period, or if the tag measures constant depth for a pre-defined period indicating mortality or tag shedding, it will release, float to the surface and start transmitting stored data and present position to ARGOS satellites. The satellites transfer the data to base stations. Watch this video if you're interested in satellite telemetry!
Pros |
Cons |
|---|---|
Can monitor long-distance fish migrations in the ocean |
Tags are large, so can only tag large fish |
The fish do not need to be recaptured to recover the data |
Tags are expensive |
Data are also obtained from fish that die, which is often as important as getting data from those that survive |
Most of these tags have a release mechanisms that depends on saltwater, and do not release if a fish enters freshwater |
Image: Pop-up Satellite Archival Tag (PSAT)
Acoustic telemetry - how it works & why it's useful
The basics of acoustic telemetry, right here
Telemetry - A window into the aquatic world