Why do Argos satellite tags deployed on marine animals stop transmitting?

Hays, Graeme C.; Bradshaw, Corey J. A.; James, Michael C.; Lovell, Phil; Sims, David

doi:10.1016/j.jembe.2007.04.016

Cited by 143 publications

(130 citation statements)

References 36 publications

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“…In the field, retention of electronic tags is most often demonstrated by recapture, which can be habitat-and sampling efficiency dependent. Alternatively, tag loss may be demonstrated by premature release and reporting of pop-up tags [7,18,19]. Double tagging, where a conventional tag or PIT tag is used in combination with the main telemetry tag, can provide estimates of tag retention for recaptured fish.…”

Section: Tag Retentionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The use of external electronic tags on fish: an evaluation of tag retention and tagging effects

et al. 2015

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External tagging of fish with electronic tags has been used for decades for a wide range of marine and freshwater species. In the early years of fish telemetry research, it was the most commonly used attachment method, but later internal implants became preferred. Recently, the number of telemetry studies using external tagging has increased, especially with the development of archival tags (data storage tags, DSTs), pop-up satellite archival tags (PSATs) and other environment-sensing tags. Scientific evaluations of the tagging method are rather scarce for most species. We identified 89 publications, reporting effects of external tagging for 80 different fish species, which constitute the main basis for this review. External attachment holds certain benefits compared to other tagging methods, for example, speed of application, and it may be the only option for fishes with a body shape unsuitable for surgical implantation, or when using tags with sensors recording the external environment. The most commonly reported problems with external tags are tissue damage, premature tag loss, and decreased swimming capacity, but the effects are highly context dependent and species specific. Reduced growth and survival have also been recorded, but direct mortality caused by external tagging seems rare. Most of the studies reviewed evaluate tag retention, survival, and tissue reactions. There is a general need for more research on the effects of external tagging of fish with electronic tags, but particularly there are few studies on predation risk, social interactions, and studies distinguishing capture and handling effects from tagging effects. For PSATs, especially those that are large relative to fish size, there are particular problems with a high proportion of premature tag losses, reduced swimming capacity, and likely increased predation, but there remains a paucity of tag effect studies related to the use of PSATs. Before embarking on a field study employing external tagging with electronic tags, we recommend the use of appropriate pilot studies, controlled where possible, to quantify potential impacts of tagging.

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Section: Tag Retentionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Key factors likely contributing to PSAT loss in field studies are the relatively high drag and buoyancy of these devices, causing local pressure at the attachment point [55], increased by biofouling [7,18]. Biofouling has also been reported for standard telemetry tags [56].…”

Section: Cebidichthys Violaceusmentioning

confidence: 99%

The use of external electronic tags on fish: an evaluation of tag retention and tagging effects

et al. 2015

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“…Furthermore, bio-fouling seems to be a problem in some of the tagged animals. In the aforementioned case, green algae, mussels and seaweed were observed within Fouling on transmitters has been described for tagged fish (Dicken et al 2006;Thorstad et al 2001) and marine turtles (Hays et al 2007). Fouling increases the drag and decreases the swimming performance, but is seldom taken into account when estimating negative effects from devices on animals.…”

Section: Hydrodynamicsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Flow simulation along a seal: the impact of an external device

Hazekamp

Mayer²,

Osinga

2009

Eur J Wildl Res

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An increasing number of marine mammal studies on physiology, behaviour and ecology rely on data, which have been collected from back-mounted devices, such as bio-logging tags and satellite transmitters. However, external devices may influence an animal's hydrodynamics, behaviour and energy expenditure and, therefore, can impede the individual animal. To investigate the influence of external devices on seals, the water flow along a grey seal was simulated using computational fluid dynamics calculations. The simulations revealed several changes in forces and moments and thus balance, due to this device. The investigated satellite transmitter creates an average 12% increase of the drag coefficient. Additionally, there are significant relative transmitter-induced increases in pitching moment (32%) and lift (240%). The simulations also showed that the transmitter generates areas of decreased wall shear stress on the seal's back. The results of this study demonstrate that external devices can change the hydrodynamics of the seal, which is expected to alter the seal's physiology and behaviour and its use of the ecosystem. Long-term attachment may have adverse effects on the animal's welfare. It is important to take these effects into consideration when studying tagged seals; otherwise, the value of the data obtained will be poor. Therefore, interpretations and extrapolations regarding 'natural behaviour' of animals in their 'natural environment' should only be made with great caution.

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“…The fail-safe option allows researchers to identify postrelease mortality (Swimmer et al 2002, Domeier et al 2003, Chaloupka et al 2004, Moyes et al 2006, Hays et al 2007). Ambiguity arises, however, when PSATs fail to report.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%