Improved Satellite-Monitored Radio Tags for Large Whales: Dependable ARGOS Location-Only Tags and a GPS-Linked Tag to Reveal 3-Dimensional Body-Orientation and Surface Movements
Abstract
Two different semi-implantable satellite-monitored radio tag technologies will be developed for whales: 1) a programmable, location-only (LO) Argos tag using contemporary technology will be available in two lengths and be adaptable to testing a variety of attachments. Ultimately, it will be suitable for many scientific users to track local and seasonal movements of medium to large whales over varying time scales (months to a year); and 2) an improved recoverable GPS/TDR tag will include 3-axis accelerometer and compass sensors to document the detailed dive behaviors and foraging ecology of large whales over scales of weeks to months and will be capable of carrying additional acoustic recording devices useful in evaluating future noise response experiments. The goal of this project is to develop reliable sensing and monitoring technologies to identify the seasonal distributions of large whales, their underwater behavior, their ecological relationships, and ultimately their behavioral responses to man-made sounds. We have made progress this year in the development of both tag-types and were able to use funds from other projects to defray field costs for testing the ONR-funded developments.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 30, 2012
- Accession Number
- ADA573554
Entities
People
- Bruce Mate
Organizations
- Oregon State University