Harnessing the Sun: Testing a Novel Attachment Method to Record Fine Scale Movements in Ocean Sunfish (Mola mola)

摘要: Ocean sunfish (Mola mola) are a little studied fish species which prone to exceptionally high levels of incidental by-catch. To facilitate future studies this we report on novel method for short-term deployments high-resolution data loggers ocean sunfish. Trials were conducted under captive (n = 1 fish) and field conditions 3 during 2006 2007 in County Kerry, Ireland. Our principal aims were: (1) develop low-impact harness system with an automated release mechanism; (2) retrieve the detached devices at sea; (3) assess whether approach enabled collection fine-scale behavioural from multi-channel (daily diaries). Both attachment retrieval mechanisms worked well sea successful relocation all devices. The additionally functioned by keeping logger fixed-position times (except periods extremely fast evasive swimming) resolution retrieved range variables suggesting significant potential use other species. Nonetheless, as each deployment was < 2 h it not our objective critically define behaviour sunfish, but simply obtain qualitative upon base studies. Despite deployments, provisional analysis revealed some unusual swimming that body roll, addition pitch sway amplitude intrinsically linked vertical velocity whilst allometric relationship between frequency (taken proxy fin strokes) appeared converse previous teleost locomotion.