Abstract
External tagging of fish with electronic tags has been used for decades for a wide range of marine and freshwater species. In the early years of fish telemetry research, it was the most commonly used attachment method, but later internal implants became preferred. Recently, the number of telemetry studies using external tagging has increased, especially with the development of archival tags (data storage tags, DSTs), pop-up satellite archival tags (PSATs) and other environment-sensing tags. Scientific evaluations of the tagging method are rather scarce for most species. We identified 89 publications, reporting effects of external tagging for 80 different fish species, which constitute the main basis for this review. External attachment holds certain benefits compared to other tagging methods, for example, speed of application, and it may be the only option for fishes with a body shape unsuitable for surgical implantation, or when using tags with sensors recording the external environment. The most commonly reported problems with external tags are tissue damage, premature tag loss, and decreased swimming capacity, but the effects are highly context dependent and species specific. Reduced growth and survival have also been recorded, but direct mortality caused by external tagging seems rare. Most of the studies reviewed evaluate tag retention, survival, and tissue reactions. There is a general need for more research on the effects of external tagging of fish with electronic tags, but particularly there are few studies on predation risk, social interactions, and studies distinguishing capture and handling effects from tagging effects. For PSATs, especially those that are large relative to fish size, there are particular problems with a high proportion of premature tag losses, reduced swimming capacity, and likely increased predation, but there remains a paucity of tag effect studies related to the use of PSATs. Before embarking on a field study employing external tagging with electronic tags, we recommend the use of appropriate pilot studies, controlled where possible, to quantify potential impacts of tagging.
Highlights
More than four decades ago, Bruce Shepherd [1] wrote: “ many researchers have looked in a cursory fashion at transmitter attachment and its effect on fish behavior, none have done so in detail
We provide a detailed overview of the utility and problems associated with external attachment of electronic tags, with the aim of helping researchers to determine the suitability of this method for planned studies, and to be able to interpret data collected by using such methods and draw appropriate conclusions from the studies done
A body of literature exists reporting the effects of external conventional tags [e.g. 12], but here we focus only on externally attached electronic tags
Summary
More than four decades ago, Bruce Shepherd [1] wrote: “ many researchers have looked in a cursory fashion at transmitter attachment and its effect on fish behavior, none have done so in detail. Results from a study of fish activity have convinced me of the need for careful examination of this problem”. This statement is Electronic tagging (referred to as telemetry and bio-logging) of free-ranging animals is widely used to study fish spatial ecology, survival, and responses to the environment [2,3,4]. The main methods for attaching electronic tags to fish are surgical implantation in the body cavity, gastric insertion, and external attachment [5, 6]. While surgical implantation remains the most commonly used method for electronic tag attachment to fish [3], external attachment is widely used, especially, but certainly , with the increased use of archival (data storage tags, DSTs) and satellite tags [3], popup satellite archival tags (PSATs, or PATs) [7]
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