Workshops Consider Electronic Tags For Evaluating Habitat Utilization By Pelagic Animals in the North Pacific
Current Status of Accomplishment or Milestone: Two workshops were convened in November and December, 2000 to address use of electronic tags to evaluate utilization of the open ocean environment by pelagic organisms. PFEL staff was involved with others in the organization of both workshops.
Background: Determining how pelagic animals use the open ocean environment has been problematic. Capture of large nekton is difficult, and sighting or fisheries catch data are typically biased. The development of new, electronic tags has allowed advances in understanding movement patterns and habitat utilization, but the techniques have not been applied widely. Under the auspices of the Census of Marine Life (CoML), two workshops were convened. The first, called Tagging of Pacific Pelagics (TOPP), was convened in Monterey, California, and covered fishes and marine mammals. The second, convened in December in Vancouver, British Columbia, was specifically tailored to examine applications to Pacific salmon.
Purpose of Activity/Goal of Project: The principal objectives of both workshops were to bring together experts to develop programs which could use electronic tags to 1) understand how diverse marine species utilize the ocean environment; 2) identify the common oceanic features and critical habitats for pelagic species; and 3) examine the coupling between biology and the physical environment. An ancillary objective is to incorporate education and outreach components to make the general public aware of these research issues.
Description of Accomplishment and Significant Results: The TOPP workshop included five working groups -- two on species selection (fishes and invertebrates; marine mammals, turtles and seabirds), and others on integration of biological with physical data, education and outreach, and technology. The salmon workshop had two working groups on coastal and offshore environments. Working group reports will be compiled and recommendations developed. It is anticipated that the output of both workshops will be planning proposals to develop pilot projects under the CoML.
Significance of Accomplishment (e.g., to the Center, to Management, and to NMFS Strategic plan Goals): Essential fish habitat is currently difficult to describe for pelagic animals. This technology has the potential to improve this lack of knowledge, and these workshops are the first steps to development of programs that will be of direct benefit to NMFS.
Problems: None.
Key Contact: George Boehlert (831-648-8515; george.boehlert@noaa.gov).