Validating and refining novel predation tracking technology for wild fishes

声波遥测跟踪包括使用植入鱼类体内的电子发射器来跟踪它们在野外的行为和生存，特别是在过去的10年里，它已经彻底改变了我们对水生生态系统的看法。然而，直到最近，由于发射器的尺寸，声学遥测技术仅限于体型较大的鱼类。在与Innovasea公司的合作中，我们将验证、改进和推广他们的新型“微型”发射机和307 kHz鱼类定位系统。重要的是，这些新的“微型”发射器（重0.3克，直径4毫米）还配备了一个捕食传感器——如果被标记的鱼被捕食，发射器会改变信号，让研究人员知道它何时何地被捕食者吃掉了。该传感器与新的307 kHz系统相结合，能够跟踪同一区域的数百条鱼，使这项技术能够在我们对野生动物捕食的理解上取得重大飞跃。渔业管理者依赖于对捕食者死亡率的准确估计，而许多生态学家（Innovasea新产品的潜在客户）则专注于将捕食作为一个生态和进化过程提出问题。该项目将培训三名研究生和几名本科生掌握渔业研究的最新技术。我们将对野生鱼类进行实验室实验，以验证和完善捕食传感器标签的功能，并建立一个多年的全湖鱼类跟踪系统，以测试和演示该技术，随着时间的推移跟踪多种捕食者和猎物物种。除了帮助改进技术、进行创新科学和帮助培训新的生物学家之外，该项目的一个关键产出将是与Innovasea的营销部门合作开发的视频、照片、数据可视化和其他材料，以帮助向更广泛的潜在客户推广产品。

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.