Tropical pelagic species are known to aggregate around floating objects. The objective of this project is to define specifications and develop prototypes of
autonomous buoys equipped with 360? Sonar's to observe aggregations, data loggers to detect individuals carrying electronic tags and satellite uplinks for both,
and new electronic tags with ecological sensors.
Also, a model of aggregation processes will be developed for interpreting data collected by currently available down-looking sonar's mounted on buoys. Various field experiments will be conducted to assist in development of specifications for the autonomous sonar's. The new-instrumented buoys will become observatories of pelagic ecosystems. They will reduce the dependence on research vessels and represent a major advance in fisheries research and the study of pelagic organisms.
