Objectives
Satellite Telemetry
MINTAG Design
Technical Details
Glossary
Objectives
Objectives
The main objective of the MINTAG project is to develop smaller and lighter tags for long-term deployment, than the ones existing on the market today.
The large fast-swimming rorquals are typically too big to be captured alive and many are too skittish to be approached at close distance. So far, it has been difficult to successfully deploy satellite transmitter tags from a long-distance on these species. The goal of the MINTAG project is to develop new satellite telemetry tags and optimise the deployment of new long-lasting satellite tags and optimise the deployment methods to allow for the collection of year-round datasets of geographic positions for these species.
To tag fast-swimming whales, it is necessary to develop satellite transmitters that are small and can be shot into the skin and blubber from distances of over 20 m. This is often the closest that a well-trained whale-tagger can approach these whales. The whales show the back of their body for only a few seconds before the next dive, so a projectile tag must fly along a fairly straight trajectory across distances up to 30 m.
The new tags can also be used on smaller whale species (smaller diameter) and fast swimming species (as implantable tags generate less drag and vibration). Their longevity will be extended, as the retention time should be increased (reduced impact meaning reduced rejection risk) and the technology will be improved further by a reduced battery consumption compared to existing tags.
Satellite Telemetry
Satellite Telemetry
Satellite telemetry allows researchers to track the movement of an animal by using orbiting satellites that detect signals emitted from a transmitter attached to the animal. It is a widely used technology for tracking everything from sea turtles to birds and mammals. It has also been used extensively on marine mammals, including some groups of larger whales that are easier to approach, such as the humpback, bowhead and sperm whales.
Different satellite tracking systems are currently used in the four NAMMCO member countries and Japan for studying the movement of several species of baleen whales, including minke, fin and blue whales at Svalbard and Norway, minke and humpback whales in Iceland, minke, fin, humpback and bowhead whales in Greenland, fin whales in the Faroe Islands and fin, sei, bryde’s and minke whales in Japan. A high level of investment in terms of both effort and funding has been spent on scattered attempts to acquire data on the whales. However, to make significant progress in tagging studies, a joint effort is required to refine the methods in a way that will eventually benefit the cetacean research in all five countries as well as beyond. Reliable and well-performing satellite transmitter systems are currently available for birds, terrestrial mammals, seals, small cetaceans and some species of large cetaceans that can be relatively easily approached for short-range tagging. There is therefore an opportunity to refine these systems to address the need to develop effective satellite tracking systems for baleen whales, and especially for more cryptic species like minke and fin whales.
MINTAG Design
Tag Design
The MINTAG project will design, develop and test a satellite transmitter for large whales that, both in terms of weight and volume, will be considerably smaller than existing technology. The miniaturisation of the tags will reduce the impacts on the tagged whales and the eventual rejection of the tags will ensure that there are no lasting health effects on the whales. The MINTAG is currently being developed in collaboration with Wildlife Computers.
Further information on the design and its novelty in terms of biologging will be displayed when the development is more advanced.
Technical Details
Technical Details
Further information on technical details will be displayed when the tag has been optimally developed and has proven to be reliable after successful deployment on fast-swimming rorquals, i.e., demonstrated a longer retention time and life time that what has been achieved today. The first trials of the new tags will be conducted in 2023.
Glossary
Glossary
Some of the terms used in satellite telemetry methods are specific to this field and will be explained in this glossary. Some terms may not have been used on the website yet, but will be under Tag Design and Technical Design.
| ARTS | Air Rocket Transmitter System – same as launcher | |
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Biobsy tip |
A hollow steel cylinder that collects and retains a skin/blubber biopsy |
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Carrier |
Device that is used for carrying the tag from the launcher to the whale, also called ‘launching tube’ or ‘rocket’. Will detach and be recovered for re-use after a tag deployment. |
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Dart tip |
Sharp end of the tag that cuts through whale skin and blubber to ensure entry and successful implantation of the tag |
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Fascia |
Dense layer of connective tissue that separates blubber from muscle
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Flight |
The feather on the carrier that helps maintain a stable and controlled flight trajectory. |
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Launcher |
Device used for deploying tags, in this case the ARTS system |
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Mounting bracket |
Part of the carrier to which the tag is attached during deployment |
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Retention cone |
Roughly doughnut-shaped widening around the tag shaft that acts as a stopper below the dermis or fascia to facilitate encapsulation and thereby retention of the tag |
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Retention petals |
Leaf-like metal pieces that swing out into the blubber to resist expulsion of the tag |
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Shaft |
The element in front of the tag housing, also called ‘spear’ and ‘anchor’ |
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Skin |
Epidermis and dermis |
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Stopper |
Triangular plate at the distal end of the tag that assist in stopping the tag from penetrating too deep under the skin |
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Stopplate |
Round plate in front of the triangular stopper on the tag. Its purpose is to prevent penetration the top of the tag and the antenna below the skin surface |
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Tag housing |
The part of the tag that includes the battery and the transmitter |
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TTL |
Total tag length: length of tag housing + shaft + tip |
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Umbrella petals |
A collection of petals mounted as an umbrella around the tag, either one or two umbrellas will be used |
