Rocky Mountain Tracking

By Greg Bartlett

Scientists have studied fish migration habits for years for the purpose of gaining knowledge about the creatures that inhabit the greatest portion of our planet, yet are perhaps some of the least understood. Until recently following a fish through the ocean was an extremely difficult task. With the advent of GPS tracking, however, scientists have been able to take much of the guess work out of the process and can reliably track and in some cases even extrapolate data to predict the behavior of certain fish species.

Questions at the forefront of researchers’ minds include how long fish stay in a certain area, how far they travel over time, whether there are seasonal or other patterns to their behavior, and whether their movements can be predicted to aid in research, the fishing industry and human safety. For example, current tracking of schools of cod can provide fisherman with information about what fishing methods to use, where to find the best fishing grounds, and what the expected progression of the fish might be.

Scientists can use GPS tracking tags to study fish distribution, migration, shoal behavior, and temperature patterns. This information provides data to improve our understanding of fish navigational processes, a subject that has made little progress and remains mostly speculation. Equipping ocean vessels with GPS tracking devices allows scientists to receive nearly continuous data signals via the ships’ sonar equipment.

GPS tracking can also provide information about dangerous or protected species. One group of students placed a GPS tag on a whale shark and tracked its movements over several months, providing information about depth, speed of travel, and behavior patterns. Another research project, headed up by a Texas State University professor, used GPS tracking to monitor shark killing behavior. His study found that sharks do not attack randomly, but rather work around a centralized area. This information has been valuable in determining the likelihood of people being the victims of shark attack in specified areas and also provides useful knowledge for shark habitat identification and protection.

While much about ocean life remains a mystery, GPS tracking has been a valuable tool to aid scientists in the study of our underwater counterparts. Perhaps one day we’ll know as much about fish as we do about mammals. Until then, however, we can rely on GPS tracking to continue to provide the most accurate and up to date information possible in our continued efforts to explore the deep.