Using Animal-Borne Cameras to Quantify Prey Field, Habitat Characteristics and Foraging Success in a Marine Top Predator
Abstract
LONG-TERM GOALS: To understand the factors which influence population dynamics in marine mammals, and the potential risks anthropogenic activities pose, knowledge of their habitat use and the environmental factors determining foraging success is required. While over the last decade great advances have been made in this area for pelagic foraging species, such information is largely lacking for benthic foraging marine mammals. Therefore, the long term goals of this project are to determine in a model species (the Australian fur seal) the key ecological characteristics of their benthic foraging habitat, the profitability (prey captured versus effort) of various habitats and the spatial distribution of critical habitat. The techniques and principles developed in this project will be applicable for a variety of benthic foraging seal species world-wide and will contribute to our understanding of the role of top predators in shaping marine communities. OBJECTIVES: The specific aims of the study are to: 1) quantify the prey fields encountered by adult female Australian fur seals in various habitats using video footage recorded on the seals; 2) determine seal movements at the fine-scale appropriate to prey encounters using GPS loggers and 3-axis accelerometers; 3) quantify net energy gain while foraging in different habitats; and 4) establish the habitat characteristics and individual factors that influence these parameters.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 30, 2011
- Accession Number
- ADA598114
Entities
People
- John P. Arnould
Organizations
- Deakin University