Sensors attached to animals gather valuable data to track and mitigate the human influence on marine life.
Sensors attached to animals gather valuable data to track and mitigate the human influence on marine life. The Kobe University review paper emphasizes the importance of integrating data from various sources and advocates for an “Internet of Animals” based on open access and shared standards.
Humanity influences marine life through a broad range of activities, spanning from fishing and pollution to noise from boats, construction and mining. To enable a sustainable life together, we need to monitor the influence of our activities on marine life and use this data to establish effective policies. Kobe University animal ecologist IWATA Takashi says: “There is a wealth of oceanographic data from research vessels, drifting buoys and satellites. But due to technological and economic constraints, there are many observation gaps and some areas are inaccessible to humans, such as under sea ice or during harsh weather.” In addition, it is often difficult to understand the influence different factors have on individual animals, thus making the development of targeted policies difficult.
Read More: Kobe University
“Biologging” refers to attaching sensors, cameras or other small devices to wild animals to study the environmental conditions the animals encounter. Researchers try to minimize the impact this has on the animals themselves. (Photo Credit: IWATA Takashi)
