Where technology meets ecology: acoustic telemetry in contemporary Australian aquatic research and management
Matthew D. Taylor A B G , Russ C. Babcock C , Colin A. Simpfendorfer D E F and David A. Crook F
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Port Stephens Fisheries Institute, New South Wales Department of Primary Industries, Taylors Beach Road, Taylors Beach, NSW 2316, Australia.
B School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, UNSW Australia, Sydney, NSW 2051, Australia
C CSIRO, Marine and Atmospheric Research, 41 Boggo Road, Dutton Park, Qld 4001, Australia.
D Centre for Sustainable Tropical Fisheries and Aquaculture, James Cook University, Townsville, Qld 4811, Australia.
E College of Marine and Environmental Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, Qld 4811, Australia.
F Research Institute for Environment and Livelihoods, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, NT 0909, Australia.
G Corresponding author. Email: matt.taylor@dpi.nsw.gov.au
Marine and Freshwater Research 68(8) 1397-1402 https://doi.org/10.1071/MF17054
Submitted: 27 February 2017 Accepted: 16 April 2017 Published: 28 July 2017
Abstract
Acoustic telemetry is used to investigate a diverse suite of questions regarding the biology and ecology of a range of aquatic species, and is an important tool for fisheries and conversation management. Herein we present a brief review of the Australian acoustic telemetry literature in the context of key areas of progress, drawing from several recent studies and identifying areas for future progress. Acoustic telemetry has been increasingly used in Australia over the past decade. This has included substantial investment in a national acoustic array and the associated development of a national acoustic telemetry database that enables tag deployment and detection data to be shared among researchers (the Integrated Marine Observing System Animal Tracking Facility). Acoustic telemetry has contributed to important areas of management, including public safety, design and management of marine protected areas, the use of closures in fisheries management, informing environmental flow regimes and the impacts of fisheries enhancements, and is most powerful when used as a complementary tool. However, individual variability in movement often confounds our ability to draw general conclusions when attempting to characterise broad-scale patterns, and more work is required to address this issue. This overview provides insight into the important role that acoustic telemetry plays in the research and management of Australian aquatic ecosystems. Application of the technology transcends aquatic environments and bureaucracies, and the patterns revealed are relevant to many of the contemporary challenges facing decision makers with oversight of aquatic populations or ecosystems.
Additional keywords: acoustic tracking, conservation, fisheries management, freshwater, individuality, Integrated Marine Observing System, network, personality.
References
Babcock, R. C., Egli, D. P., and Attwood, C. G. (2012). Individual-based model of reef fish populations in temperate marine reserves based on acoustic telemetry and census data. Environmental Conservation 39, 282–294.| Individual-based model of reef fish populations in temperate marine reserves based on acoustic telemetry and census data.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Babcock, R. C., Pillans, R. D., and Rochester, W. A. (2017). Environmental and individual effects on the behaviour and spawning movements of Lethrinus nebulosus on a coral reef. Marine and Freshwater Research 68, 1422–1437.
| Environmental and individual effects on the behaviour and spawning movements of Lethrinus nebulosus on a coral reef.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Bass, N. C., Mourier, J., Knott, N. A., Day, J., Guttridge, T., and Brown, C. (2017). Long-term migration patterns and bisexual philopatry in a benthic shark species. Marine and Freshwater Research 68, 1414–1421.
| Long-term migration patterns and bisexual philopatry in a benthic shark species.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Becker, A., Lowry, M., and Taylor, M. D. (2017). Monitoring of reef associated and pelagic fish communities on Australia’s first purpose built offshore artificial reef. ICES Journal of Marine Science 74, 277–285.
| Monitoring of reef associated and pelagic fish communities on Australia’s first purpose built offshore artificial reef.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Block, B. A., Holbrook, C. M., Simmons, S. E., Holland, K. N., Ault, J. S., Costa, D. P., Mate, B. R., Seitz, A. C., Arendt, M. D., Payne, J. C., and Mahmoudi, B. (2016). Toward a national animal telemetry network for aquatic observations in the United States. Animal Biotelemetry 4, 6.
| Toward a national animal telemetry network for aquatic observations in the United States.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Bolnick, D. I., Svanbäck, R., Fordyce, J. A., Yang, L. H., Davis, J. M., Hulsey, C. D., and Forister, M. L. (2003). The ecology of individuals: incidence and implications of individual specialization. American Naturalist 161, 1–28.
| The ecology of individuals: incidence and implications of individual specialization.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Bradford, R. W., Bruce, B. D., McAuley, R. B., and Robinson, G. (2011). An evaluation of passive acoustic monitoring using satellite communication technology for near real-time detection of tagged marine animals. Open Fish Science Journal 4, 10–20.
| An evaluation of passive acoustic monitoring using satellite communication technology for near real-time detection of tagged marine animals.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Brownscombe, J. W., Cooke, S. J., and Danylchuk, A. J. (2017). Spatiotemporal drivers of energy expenditure in a coastal marine fish. Oecologia 183, 689–699.
Cooke, S. J., Iverson, S. J., Stokesbury, M. J. W., Hinch, S. G., Fisk, A. T., VanderZwaag, D. L., Apostle, R., and Whoriskey, F. (2011). Ocean Tracking Network Canada: a network approach to addressing critical issues in fisheries and resource management with implications for ocean governance. Fisheries 36, 583–592.
| Ocean Tracking Network Canada: a network approach to addressing critical issues in fisheries and resource management with implications for ocean governance.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Cooke, S. J., Martins, E. G., Struthers, D. P., Gutowsky, L. F., Power, M., Doka, S. E., Dettmers, J. M., Crook, D. A., Lucas, M. C., Holbrook, C. M., and Krueger, C. C. (2016). A moving target-incorporating knowledge of the spatial ecology of fish into the assessment and management of freshwater fish populations. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 188, 239.
| A moving target-incorporating knowledge of the spatial ecology of fish into the assessment and management of freshwater fish populations.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Crook, D. A., Buckle, D. J., Allsop, Q., Baldwin, W., Saunders, T. M., Kyne, P. M., Woodhead, J. D., Maas, R., Roberts, B., and Douglas, M. M. (2017). Use of otolith chemistry and acoustic telemetry to elucidate migratory contingents in barramundi Lates calcarifer. Marine and Freshwater Research 68, 1554–1566.
| Use of otolith chemistry and acoustic telemetry to elucidate migratory contingents in barramundi Lates calcarifer.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Daly, R., Smale, M. J., Cowley, P. D., and Froneman, P. W. (2014). Residency patterns and migration dynamics of adult bull sharks (Carcharhinus leucas) on the east coast of southern Africa. PLoS One 9, e109357.
| Residency patterns and migration dynamics of adult bull sharks (Carcharhinus leucas) on the east coast of southern Africa.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Ebner, B., Thiem, J., and Lintermans, M. (2007). Fate of 2 year-old, hatchery-reared trout cod Maccullochella macquariensis (Percichthyidae) stocked into two upland rivers. Journal of Fish Biology 71, 182–199.
| Fate of 2 year-old, hatchery-reared trout cod Maccullochella macquariensis (Percichthyidae) stocked into two upland rivers.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Espinoza, M., Farrugia, T. J., Webber, D. M., Smith, F., and Lowe, C. G. (2011). Testing a new acoustic telemetry technique to quantify long-term, fine-scale movements of aquatic animals. Fisheries Research 108, 364–371.
| Testing a new acoustic telemetry technique to quantify long-term, fine-scale movements of aquatic animals.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Ferguson, A. M., Harvey, E. S., Taylor, M. D., and Knott, N. A. (2013). A herbivore knows its patch: luderick, Girella tricuspidata, exhibit strong site fidelity on shallow subtidal reefs in a temperate marine park. PLoS One 8, e65838.
| A herbivore knows its patch: luderick, Girella tricuspidata, exhibit strong site fidelity on shallow subtidal reefs in a temperate marine park.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3sXpslOmsb0%3D&md5=de13949c5636efe0c70be2519e7a836bCAS |
Fetterplace, L. C., Davis, A. R., Neilson, J. M., Taylor, M. D., and Knott, N. A. (2016). Active acoustic tracking suggests that soft sediment fishes can show site attachment: a preliminary assessment of the movement patterns of the blue-spotted flathead (Platycephalus caeruleopunctatus). Animal Biotelemetry 4, 15.
| Active acoustic tracking suggests that soft sediment fishes can show site attachment: a preliminary assessment of the movement patterns of the blue-spotted flathead (Platycephalus caeruleopunctatus).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Fowler, A. J., Huveneers, C., and Lloyd, M. T. (2017). Insights into movement behaviour of snapper (Chrysophrys auratus, Sparidae) from a large acoustic array. Marine and Freshwater Research 68, 1438–1453.
| Insights into movement behaviour of snapper (Chrysophrys auratus, Sparidae) from a large acoustic array.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Harding, D. J., Dwyer, R. G., Mullins, T. M., Kennard, M. J., Pillans, R. D., and Roberts, D. T. (2017). Migration patterns and estuarine aggregations of a catadromous fish, Australian bass (Percalates novemaculeata) in a regulated river system. Marine and Freshwater Research 68, 1544–1553.
| Migration patterns and estuarine aggregations of a catadromous fish, Australian bass (Percalates novemaculeata) in a regulated river system.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Heupel, M. R., and Simpfendorfer, C. A. (2002). Estimation of mortality of juvenile blacktip sharks, Carcharhinus limbatus, within a nursery area using telemetry data. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 59, 624–632.
| Estimation of mortality of juvenile blacktip sharks, Carcharhinus limbatus, within a nursery area using telemetry data.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Heupel, M. R., Semmens, J. M., and Hobday, A. J. (2006). Automated acoustic tracking of aquatic animals: scales, design and deployment of listening station arrays. Marine and Freshwater Research 57, 1–13.
| Automated acoustic tracking of aquatic animals: scales, design and deployment of listening station arrays.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Heupel, M. R., Simpfendorfer, C. A., Espinoza, M., Smoothey, A. F., Tobin, A., and Peddemors, V. (2015). Conservation challenges of sharks with continental scale migrations. Frontiers of Marine Science 2, 12.
Hill, K., Moltmann, T., Proctor, R., and Allen, S. (2010). The Australian Integrated Marine Observing System: delivering data streams to address national and international research priorities. Marine Technology Society Journal 44, 65–72.
| The Australian Integrated Marine Observing System: delivering data streams to address national and international research priorities.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Hussey, N. E., Kessel, S. T., Aarestrup, K., Cooke, S. J., Cowley, P. D., Fisk, A. T., Harcourt, R. G., Holland, K. N., Iverson, S. J., and Kocik, J. F. (2015). Aquatic animal telemetry: a panoramic window into the underwater world. Science 348, 1255642.
| Aquatic animal telemetry: a panoramic window into the underwater world.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Johnson, J. H. (1960). Sonic tracking of adult salmon at Bonneville Dam, 1957. Fishery Bulletin 60, 471–485.
Keller, K., Smith, J. A., Lowry, M. B., Taylor, M. D., and Suthers, I. M. (2017). Multispecies presence and connectivity around a designed artificial reef. Marine and Freshwater Research 68, 1489–1500.
| Multispecies presence and connectivity around a designed artificial reef.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Knip, D. M., Heupel, M. R., and Simpfendorfer, C. A. (2012). Evaluating marine protected areas for the conservation of tropical coastal sharks. Biological Conservation 148, 200–209.
| Evaluating marine protected areas for the conservation of tropical coastal sharks.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Koster, W., and Crook, D. A. (2017). Using telemetry data to develop conceptual models of movement to support the management of riverine fishes. Marine and Freshwater Research 68, 1567–1575.
| Using telemetry data to develop conceptual models of movement to support the management of riverine fishes.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Koster, W. M., Amtstaetter, F., Dawson, D. R., Reich, P., and Morrongiello, J. R. (2017). Provision of environmental flows promotes spawning of a nationally threatened diadromous fish. Marine and Freshwater Research 68, 159–166.
| Provision of environmental flows promotes spawning of a nationally threatened diadromous fish.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Lowry, M. B., and Suthers, I. M. (1998). Home range, activity and distribution patterns of a temperate rocky-reef fish, Cheilodactylus fuscus. Marine Biology 132, 569–578.
| Home range, activity and distribution patterns of a temperate rocky-reef fish, Cheilodactylus fuscus.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Lowry, M. B., Becker, A., Folpp, H., McLeod, J., and Taylor, M. D. (2017). Residency and movement patterns of yellowfin bream (Acanthopagrus australis) released at natural and artificial reef. Marine and Freshwater Research 68, 1479–1488.
| Residency and movement patterns of yellowfin bream (Acanthopagrus australis) released at natural and artificial reef.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Matley, J. K., Heupel, M. R., Fisk, A. T., Simpfendorfer, C. A., and Tobin, A. J. (2017). Measuring niche overlap between co-occurring Plectropomus spp. using acoustic telemetry and stable isotopes. Marine and Freshwater Research 68, 1468–1478.
| Measuring niche overlap between co-occurring Plectropomus spp. using acoustic telemetry and stable isotopes.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
McAuley, R., Bruce, B., Keay, I., Mountford, S., Pinnell, T., and Whoriskey, F. G. (2017). Broad-scale coastal movements of white sharks off Western Australia described by passive acoustic telemetry data. Marine and Freshwater Research 68, 1518–1531.
| Broad-scale coastal movements of white sharks off Western Australia described by passive acoustic telemetry data.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
McCosker, J. E. (1987). The white shark, Carcharodon carcharias, has a warm stomach. Copeia 1, 195–197.
| The white shark, Carcharodon carcharias, has a warm stomach.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Moustahfid, H., Grimes, C., Kocik, J., Block, B., Holland, K., Payne, J., Fox, D., Seitz, A., and Alexander, C. (2011). Toward a national Animal Telemetry Observing Network (ATN) for our oceans, coasts and great lakes: workshop synthesis report (US IOOS workshop, March 2011, Santa Cruz, California). US Department of Commerce, NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS, NOAA-TM-NMFS-SWFSC-482, La Jolla, CA, USA.
Oh, Z. L., Thums, M., Babcock, R., Meeuwig, J., Pillans, R., Speed, C., and Meekan, M. (2017). Contrasting patterns of residency and space use of coastal sharks within a communal shark nursery. Marine and Freshwater Research 68, 1501–1517.
| Contrasting patterns of residency and space use of coastal sharks within a communal shark nursery.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Parsons, D. M., Morrison, M. A., and Slater, M. J. (2010). Responses to marine reserves: decreased dispersion of the sparid Pagrus auratus (snapper). Biological Conservation 143, 2039–2048.
| Responses to marine reserves: decreased dispersion of the sparid Pagrus auratus (snapper).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Payne, N. L., Taylor, M. D., Watanabe, Y., and Semmens, J. M. (2014). From physiology to physics: what can biotelemetry tell us about aquatic animals? The Journal of Experimental Biology 217, 317–322.
| From physiology to physics: what can biotelemetry tell us about aquatic animals?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Payne, N. L., van der Meulen, D. E., Suthers, I. M., Gray, C. A., and Taylor, M. D. (2015a). Foraging intensity of wild mulloway Argyrosomus japonicus decreases with increasing anthropogenic disturbance. Marine Biology 162, 539–546.
| Foraging intensity of wild mulloway Argyrosomus japonicus decreases with increasing anthropogenic disturbance.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC2MXosFakug%3D%3D&md5=351537d6646531517c547e47a07763edCAS |
Payne, N. L., van der Meulen, D. E., Suthers, I. M., Gray, C. A., Walsh, C. T., and Taylor, M. D. (2015b). Rain-driven changes in fish dynamics: a switch from spatial to temporal segregation. Marine Ecology Progress Series 528, 267–275.
| Rain-driven changes in fish dynamics: a switch from spatial to temporal segregation.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Pillans, R. D., Babcock, R. C., Thomson, D. P., Haywood, M. D. E., Downie, R. A., Vanderklift, M. A., and Rochester, W. A. (2017). Habitat effects on home range and schooling behaviour in a herbivorous fish (Kyphosus bigibbus) revealed by acoustic tracking. Marine and Freshwater Research 68, 1454–1467.
| Habitat effects on home range and schooling behaviour in a herbivorous fish (Kyphosus bigibbus) revealed by acoustic tracking.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Pursche, A. R., Suthers, I. M., and Taylor, M. D. (2013). Post-release monitoring of site and group fidelity in acoustically tagged stocked fish. Fisheries Management and Ecology 20, 445–453.
| Post-release monitoring of site and group fidelity in acoustically tagged stocked fish.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Reinfelds, I., Lincoln‐Smith, M., Haeusler, T., Ryan, D., and Growns, I. (2010). Hydraulic assessment of environmental flow regimes to facilitate fish passage through natural riffles: Shoalhaven River below Tallowa Dam, New South Wales, Australia. River Research and Applications 26, 589–604.
Reubens, J., Verhelst, P., Deneudt, K., and Hernandez, F. (2016). Lifewatch acoustic receiver network: setup of a PostgreSQL database, web interface and collaborative environment to cope with big data. In ‘Book of abstracts – VLIZ Marine Scientist Day’. (Eds J. Mees and J. Seys.) Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ), VLIZ Special Publication 75, p. 93. Oostende, Belgium.
Roberts, D. T., Udyawer, V., Franklin, C., Dwyer, R. G., and Campbell, H. A. (2017). Using an acoustic telemetry array to assess fish volumetric space use: a case study on impoundments, hypoxia and an air-breathing species (Neoceratodus forsteri). Marine and Freshwater Research 68, 1532–1543.
| Using an acoustic telemetry array to assess fish volumetric space use: a case study on impoundments, hypoxia and an air-breathing species (Neoceratodus forsteri).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Smith, J. A., Baumgartner, L. J., Suthers, I. M., and Taylor, M. D. (2011). Generalist niche, specialist strategy: the diet of an Australian percichthyid. Journal of Fish Biology 78, 1183–1199.
| Generalist niche, specialist strategy: the diet of an Australian percichthyid.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BC3MvgvVyrsA%3D%3D&md5=d9d57eafb87b4d9ee0d287b0831e9ebbCAS |
Steckenreuter, A., Hoenner, X., Huveneers, C., Simpfendorfer, C., Buscot, M. J., Tattersall, K., Babcock, R., Heupel, M., Meekan, M., van den Broek, J., McDowall, P., Peddemors, V., and Harcourt, R. (2017). Optimising the design of large-scale acoustic telemetry curtains. Marine and Freshwater Research 68, 1403–1413.
| Optimising the design of large-scale acoustic telemetry curtains.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Taylor, M. D., and Ko, A. (2011). Monitoring acoustically tagged king prawns Penaeus (Melicertus) plebejus in an estuarine lagoon. Marine Biology 158, 835–844.
| Monitoring acoustically tagged king prawns Penaeus (Melicertus) plebejus in an estuarine lagoon.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Taylor, M. D., Chick, R. C., Lorenzen, K., Agnalt, A. L., Leber, K. M., Blankenship, H. L., Vander Haegen, G., and Loneragan, N. R. (2017a). Fisheries enhancement and restoration in a changing world. Fisheries Research 186, 407–412.
| Fisheries enhancement and restoration in a changing world.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Taylor, M. D., Payne, N. L., Becker, A., and Lowry, M. B. (2017b). Feels like home: homing of mature large-bodied fish following translocation from a power-station canal. ICES Journal of Marine Science 74, 301–310.
Topping, D. T., and Szedlmayer, S. T. (2013). Use of ultrasonic telemetry to estimate natural and fishing mortality of red snapper. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 142, 1090–1100.
| Use of ultrasonic telemetry to estimate natural and fishing mortality of red snapper.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Trefethen, P. S. (1956). Sonic equipment for tracking individual fish. Special Scientific Report – Fisheries number 179, Fish and Wildlife Service, United States Department of the Interior, Washington, DC, USA.
Trefethen, P. S., Dudley, J. W., and Smith, M. R. (1957). Ultrasonic tracer follows tagged fish. Electronics 30, 156–160.
Tyler, J. A., and Rose, K. A. (1994). Individual variability and spatial heterogeneity in fish population models. Reviews in Fish Biology and Fisheries 4, 91–123.
| Individual variability and spatial heterogeneity in fish population models.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Welch, D. W., Melnychuk, M. C., Rechisky, E. R., Porter, A. D., Jacobs, M. C., Ladouceur, A., and Jackson, G. D. (2009). Freshwater and marine migration and survival of endangered Cultus Lake sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) smolts using POST, a large-scale acoustic telemetry array. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 66, 736–750.
| Freshwater and marine migration and survival of endangered Cultus Lake sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) smolts using POST, a large-scale acoustic telemetry array.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Zeller, D. (1997). Home range and activity patterns of the coral trout Plectropomus leopardus (Serranidae). Marine Ecology Progress Series 154, 65–77.
| Home range and activity patterns of the coral trout Plectropomus leopardus (Serranidae).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
