Development of an Extended Range, high Precision 3-D Acoustic Tag Underwater Positioning System for Monitoring Animals in the Marine Environment

Ecosystem-based marine research would benefit from an improved ability to investigate the ecology of marine animal populations on both large and small spatial scales.Acoustic tag monitoring systems are a preferred technology for monitoring animal movement and behavior in the marine environment.However, the marine acoustic tagging systems currently available generally lack precise positioning capabilities, or are limited in the areas over which they can provide these estimates.This research will determine the feasibility of producing an acoustic tag system that can provide precise 2-D and 3-D positions over extended ranges in the marine environment.A wireless and autonomous hydrophone monitoring array approach will be developed, based on existing technology proven in a fresh water environment.A marine acoustic tag design and optimal operating frequency will be determined, based on detection range modeling and field validation experiments.