Conservation of aquatic species requires in-depth understanding of their movement and behavior and their interactions with manmade hydraulic structures. Acoustic telemetry is a primary method to remotely track in 3D aquatic animals implanted with transmitters. The transmitter’s weight and size are the major limiting factors because the transmitter should not affect the animals’ natural behavior. Here, we present a newly developed acoustic micro-transmitter that weighs 0.08 g in air, only one third that of existing technologies. The transmitter offers a source level of 148 dB (reference: 1 µPa at 1 m) and a service life of 30 days at a 5-second transmission rate. Nearly 100% of tagged fish were detected in field studies, demonstrating the viability of this new technology for studying species of early life stages. Information resulting from the use of this new technology provides valuable insight for ecological and environmental policy making, and resources management worldwide.
Published: August 18, 2021
Citation
Deng Z., H. Li, J. Lu, J. Xiao, M.J. Myjak, J.J. Martinez, and Y. Wang, et al. 2021.An Acoustic Micro-transmitter Enabling Tracking of Sensitive Aquatic Species in Riverine and Estuarine Environments.Cell Reports Physical Science 2, no. 5:100411.PNNL-SA-138486.doi:10.1016/j.xcrp.2021.100411