Grant: Alliance Grants

Acoustic telemetry tracking involves using electronic transmitters implanted into fish to follow their behaviour and survival in the wild, and has revolutionized our view of aquatic ecosystems - especially over the last 10 years. However, until recently, acoustic telemetry has been limited to larger-bodied fishes because of the size of the transmitters. In this partnership with Innovasea Inc., we will validate, refine, and promote their new 'tiny' transmitters and 307 kHz fish positioning system. Importantly, these new 'tiny' transmitters (0.3 g in weight, 4 mm diameter) also come equipped with a predation sensor - if the tagged fish is eaten, the transmitter changes its signal to let researchers know when and where it has been consumed by a predator. That sensor, combined with the new 307 kHz system's ability to track hundreds of fish in the same area, makes this a technology that could create major leaps forward in our understanding of predation in wild animals. Fisheries managers rely on accurate estimates of mortality from predation, and many ecologists (potential clients for Innovasea's new products) are focused on asking questions about predation as an ecological and evolutionary process. The project will train three graduate students and several undergraduates in the latest techniques in fisheries research. We will conduct lab experiments with wild fish to validate and refine functioning of the predation sensor tag and set up a multi-year whole-lake fish tracking system to test and demonstrate the technology in the field, tracking multiple predator and prey species over time. Beyond helping to refine the technology, doing innovative science, and helping to train new biologists, a key output of the project will be videos, photos, data visualizations and other materials developed in collaboration with Innovasea's marketing department to help promote the product to a wider audience of potential clients.