Validating and refining novel predation tracking technology for wild fishes

声学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情况，并彻底改变了我们对水生生态系统的看法--特别是在过去10年里。然而，直到最近，由于发射器的大小，声学遥测一直局限于体型较大的鱼类。在与Innovesea Inc.的这一合作中，我们将验证、改进和推广他们的新的“微型”发射器和307 kHz鱼类定位系统。重要的是，这些新的微型发射器(重量0.3克，直径4毫米)还配备了捕食传感器--如果被标记的鱼被吃掉，发射器就会改变信号，让研究人员知道它何时何地被捕食者吃掉。这种传感器，再加上新的307千赫系统在同一区域跟踪数百条鱼的能力，使这项技术可能在我们对野生动物捕食行为的理解方面产生重大飞跃。渔业管理者依赖对捕食死亡的准确估计，许多生态学家(Innovesea新产品的潜在客户)专注于询问有关捕食作为生态和进化过程的问题。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。我们将用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，在现场测试和演示这项技术，随着时间的推移跟踪多个捕食者和猎物物种。除了帮助完善技术、进行创新科学和帮助培训新的生物学家外，该项目的一个关键成果将是与Innovesea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受众推广该产品。

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.