A surfing robot is being used to track great white sharks off the coast of California, US, by marine scientists.
The mobile transmitter is the latest addition to an extensive programme of electronic tagging.
Researchers aim to fine-tune 12 years of results with the self-propelled craft and raise public awareness of the area's diverse wildlife.
Shark fans are able to follow the animals' movements via a free app for smartphones and tablet computers.
The project is led by shark expert Professor Barbara Block from Stanford University, who describes the area off the coast of San Francisco as the "blue Serengeti", comparing its underwater highways to the migratory routes in Africa.
Her latest project follows on from a 10-year programme dedicated to tracking predators in the Pacific Ocean using electronic tags on creatures ranging from seabirds to turtles.
The study revealed that the waters were a hotspot for a variety of species which frequent the area depending on the season and water temperature, many migrating between Mexico and Canada.
According to Prof Block, the great white sharks in particular demonstrated an "incredible homing ability". But to further investigate their behaviour, she required a "mobile observatory".
"Across the planet the goal of oceanographers and biologists alike is to observe the ocean in as much detail as possible," she said, explaining that unobtrusive equipment is the key to accurate data.
After first hearing about the "environmentally friendly" unmanned technology developed by the Silicon Valley based company Liquid Robotics, Prof Block said she became "infatuated".
The bright yellow shark-tracking robot designed by the company consists of two parts - a glider that descends 23ft (7m) down into the ocean with a surfboard above.
The glider has a special wing system that converts wave energy into forward thrust to keep the robot moving through the water. It also has a receiver that picks up the audio signals from the sharks' electronic tags.
The surfboard carries the rest of the scientific instruments, including the satellite link that allows researchers to accurately pinpoint the animals' locations.
When a shark or other tagged animal encounters the robot, their position is recorded and relayed back to the research team.
They have also placed a number of fixed buoys mounted with underwater audio receivers known as hydrophones to form a listening network in known hotspots.
In the first week of its release the team report that the robot has picked up five great white sharks.
'Sharks in your pocket'
In the lab, the team have not only analysed the results but shared them with the general public.
Using funding from a Rolex Award for Enterprise, Stanford researchers developed a way to deliver the data in an appealing way to those without a scientific background.
The resulting app, Shark Net, allows users to follow the sharks' movements in real time as well as viewing videos, photos and interactive 3D models of the animals and learning about their life history.
"It's sharks in your pocket," said Prof Block, "It gives us the ability to connect the public with what's happening off the coast of California."
According to Prof Block, raising awareness of the abundant marine wildlife off the West coast of North America is key to protecting it.
Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/19287582
Gore Vidal mlb trade rumors lindsay lohan Misty May And Kerri Walsh Jake Dalton London 2012 field hockey Missy Franklin
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.