Animal Tagging
Animal Tagging
Animal Tagging deploys miniaturised sensors on marine animals to collect oceanographic data from remote and hard-to-access environments.
In the Southern Ocean, Weddell and southern elephant seals are equipped with CTD satellite relay data loggers (often including fluorometers which measure ocean productivity), to collect high resolution ocean observations derived from temperature, salinity and depth profiles in the deep Southern Ocean and Antarctic waters.
In tropical northern Australia, turtles are fitted with GPS as well as the CTD sensors to capture high resolution location, temperature, salinity and depth profiles in shallow coastal regions of the Timor and Arafura seas. The observations are helping to fill critical gaps in sub-surface ocean observations and so improve understanding of ocean conditions that influence tropical cyclone intensity and forecasting, essential for developing accurate and reliable early warning notifications.
Geolocation archival (GLS) tags have also been used in seabirds, such as the short-tailed shearwater, snow petrels and emperor penguins, however the use of these tags was ceased in 2014.
Rob Harcourt, Macquarie University
Seals
Data collection
Seals are safely fitted with miniaturised loggers under approved animal ethics protocols with a veterinarian in attendance. This allows for the collection of valuable oceanographic measurements while also providing information on seal behaviour. The data is transmitted in near real-time using the Advanced Research and Global Observation Satellite (Argos) system and made freely available.
Why it’s important
The integration of oceanography and marine mammal ecology advances our understanding of the world’s oceans and their top predators and improves our ability to predict how these species may respond to future climate change. Recent technological advancements also enable the collection of critical ocean data throughout the Antarctic winter – observations that were previously unavailable but are essential for oceanographic and climate research.
Turtles
Data collection
Miniaturised loggers are fitted to the hard upper shell of turtles under approved animal ethics protocols, with IMOS staff working closely with Traditional Owners and collaborative partners at the Australian Institute for Marine Science. This allows for the collection of valuable oceanographic measurements, whilst simultaneously providing information on turtle behaviour and habitat use. The data is transmitted in near real-time using the Advanced Research and Global Observation Satellite (Argos) system and made freely available.
Why it’s important
Attaching sensors to sea turtles provides a cost-effective solution to a critical gap in tropical cyclone forecasting: the lack of sub-surface ocean observations in shallow seas. Tagged turtles are able to collect thousands of temperature profiles, revealing how storms cool the ocean through water column mixing, a key physical process that limits storm intensity, ultimately improving cyclone intensity forecasts to protect lives in vulnerable regions.
Useful information
Operating institution
Sydney Institute of Marine Science
Co-investors
Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique ∙ Macquarie University ∙ University of Tasmania ∙ Laboratory of Oceanography and Climatology ∙ Stockholm University ∙ Tiwi Marine Rangers ∙ Tiwi Land Council ∙ Australian Government Defence
Acknowledging IMOS
Users of IMOS data are required to clearly acknowledge the source material by including the following statement:
Australia’s Integrated Marine Observing System (IMOS) is enabled by the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS). It is operated by a consortium of institutions as an unincorporated joint venture, with the University of Tasmania as Lead Agent.