A new acoustic pH transmitter for studying the feeding habits of free-ranging sharks

Abstract

Little is known about the feeding habits of large free ranging fish, due in large part to lack of an appropriate technique for quantifying feeding variables. A previous study demonstrated that changes in gastric pH can be used as a proxy for feeding events in free-ranging sharks. Here we describe the development of a new acoustic pH transmitter to remotely measure gastric pH in sharks in the field. The transmitter consists of a dual sensor (pH and temperature) continuous pinger, and was tested in captive adult blacktip reef sharks (Carcharhinus melanopterus). The transmitter was retained in the shark's stomach for between 5-12 days. The empty stomach had a low pH (1.6 ± 0.2) and feeding induced a rapid increase in gastric pH, which was clearly distinguishable from baseline levels. Meal size showed a significant linear relationship with the magnitude of the pH changes. Measurement accuracy of the pH transmitter ranged from 0.05-0.9, although resolution of the VR100 receiver that decoded the transmitter signal was 0.1 units. The pH transmitter can be used to determine when free-ranging sharks in the field are feeding and hence quantify feeding chronology, frequency and daily ration.