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NEWS
Scientists design new tags to track pelagics for longer
CSIRO tags tuna, swordfish, sharks and moreCSIRO is printing a new kind of tag at its 3D printing facility, Lab 22, in Melbourne. The tags are printed overnight and then shipped to Tasmania where marine scientists are now trialling them.
The tags are made of titanium because the metal is strong, resists the salty corrosiveness of the marine environment, and is biocompatible (non-toxic to living tissues).
One of the advantages of 3D printing is that it enables rapid manufacture of multiple-tag-design variations, which can then be tested simultaneously.
"Using our Arcam 3D printing machine, we've been able to re-design and make a series of modified tags within a week," says John Barnes, who leads CSIRO's research in titanium technologies.
"When our marine science colleagues asked us to help build a better fish tag, we were able to send them new prototypes before their next trip to sea," he adds.
CSIRO's 3D printing facility prints metal items layer by layer out of fused-metal powder. Had the scientists been using conventional tags, which are machined out of metal blocks, it would have taken a couple of months to design, manufacture and receive the new designs for testing.
"Our early trials showed that the textured surface worked well in improving retention of the tag, but we need to fine-tune the design of the tag tip to make sure that it pierces the fish skin as easily as possible," says Barnes.
Scientists from a number of agencies, including CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research, use fish tags to track movements of individual marine species and increase understanding of their behaviour.
Tracks of selected marine animals tagged by CSIRO and partner agencies can be viewed on the CSIRO Ocean Tracks website after downloading the software. Go to ww.oceantracks.csiro.au.
Among the species being tracked are: southern bluefin tuna, big-eye tuna, swordfish, white shark, tiger shark, blacktip reef shark, gold-spot trevally and spangled emperor. The tracks on the pelagic species like the southern bluefin tuna and swordfish should pique the interest of game and sport fishers.
There's a little overview video below as well.
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Written byBoatsales Staff
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