Thinking deeper: Uncovering the mysteries of animal movement in the deep sea
Edwards, J.E.; Pratt, J.; Tress, N.; Hussey, N.E. (2019). Thinking deeper: Uncovering the mysteries of animal movement in the deep sea. Deep-Sea Res., Part 1, Oceanogr. Res. Pap. 146: 24-43. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.dsr.2019.02.006
In: Deep-Sea Research, Part I. Oceanographic Research Papers. Elsevier: Oxford. ISSN 0967-0637; e-ISSN 1879-0119, more
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| Author keywords |
Deep-water; Telemetry; Movement ecology; Animal tracking; Spatial ecology |
| Authors | | Top |
- Edwards, J.E.
- Pratt, J.
- Tress, N.
- Hussey, N.E.
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| Abstract |
Advances in biotelemetry have revealed the movement behaviours of many terrestrial and shallow-water organisms, contributing critical insight for their conservation and management. However, persistent technological and logistical challenges have thus far impeded the implementation of biotelemetry in the deep sea. Despite these limitations, innovations in telemetry technology, experimental design, and animal handling have allowed the study of 13 families of deep-water fishes to date, providing movement records spanning from surface waters down to 5900 m depth and across nearly all of the world's oceans. Telemetry devices employed in deep-sea tracking studies have included both commercially available and custom-built transmitters belonging to multiple tag categories: acoustic transponders/code-activated acoustic transponders, acoustic transmitters (coded and continuous, e.g., ‘pingers’), pop-up satellite archival tags, and archival tags (data loggers). Specially adapted tagging approaches, including in situ methods such as dart tagging via manned submersible, underwater surgical implantation, and the ingestion of baited transmitters have facilitated the monitoring of species that can not survive being brought to the surface, while modified capture, tag, and release approaches have been used for species that can withstand depressurization. These tracking data have revealed patterns in the vertical and horizontal movement behaviours and population connectivity of a number of data deficient species, as well as contributing to management by allowing the effectiveness of reserves, fisheries management boundaries, and fishery closures to be evaluated. With the rapid expansion of fisheries and natural resource exploration to depths beyond the continental shelf, further monitoring of deep-sea habitats and species is essential. By examining these substantial breakthroughs in biotelemetry application, in addition to the range of cutting-edge technologies that could be adapted for use in deep water, we strive to promote the timely advancement of this research in the deep sea. Further diversification of these tools and techniques will be necessary to expand the accessibility of this field to the broader scientific community. |
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