Telemetry studies in harbour porpoises - An overview of the technical and practical state of the art

Abstract

Information on the life functions and ecology of harbour porpoises is still scarce. Only a limited number of animals are available for research in controlled situations. Satellite tracking allows to gather information on individual movements of harbour porpoises, hence providing direct insight into the individual lifestyle of a free-ranging animal. Moreover, satellite telemetry is a powerful method for directly identifying the cause-effect relationship between anthropogenic activities and the animal’s behaviour. Harbour porpoises have been tagged with satellite transmitters already for almost two decades. This document is intends to provide a comprehensive overview of the relevant aspects of telemetry studies in harbour porpoises in Dutch waters and also give an overview of the latest technical developments in this field. Based on this information the strategy for further development and use of telemetry in harbour porpoises can be shaped