This data release contains the methodology and results of two field experiments performed in 2024 to better understand how predation impacts detection efficiency of acoustic tags. The first experiment was a static approach focusing on how different tag types, tag power, depth distance to passive receivers, and predation would affect detection efficiency. It utilized both tagged yellow perch (Perca flavescens) as well as double-crested cormorants (Phalacrocorax auritus) that had "consumed" a tagged yellow perch. The second experiment was designed to simulate cormorant diving activity and determined how that behavior and tags with different nominal signal delays affected detection efficiency.

Acoustic Telemetry is gaining popularity for use in fisheries research as a method to estimate survival and observe behaviors of native fish species. Methodology for capture and tagging of fish is typically context and species-specific, requiring a case by case basis for best practices to maximize survival of tagged individuals. This dataset includes acoustic detection data from 320 adult Lake Trout, Salvelinus namaycush, captured and acoustic-tagged in Lake Ontario during April-June of 2023. Biological data (total length), capture data (surface water temperature, capture depth), capture location, and capture gear (angling, bottom trawls, gillnets) are also included in the dataset as covariates that can be analyzed to determine if any of these factors affect post-release survival of tagged Lake Trout. Acoustic detection data is available from April 2023 to November 2024. Survival of acoustic-tagged Lake Trout was estimated through acoustic telemetry detections indicating the status of the Lake Trout (alive vs. dead).

This data set includes acoustic telemetry detection data and biological attributes for walleye and grass carp in the Sandusky River and Bay, OH. The detection data also includes information about the receivers that recorded the detection of acoustic telemetry tags implanted in walleye and grass carp from from 2014 to 2021. Receiver attributes include location and deployment history of each receiver. Detections indicate where and when an individual fish implanted with a unique acoustic telemetry tag was recorded by a receiver. The attributes for each individual fish implanted with a tag and detected by a receiver include biological characteristics, tag details, and post-tagging release location.

This data set includes acoustic telemetry detection data and biological attributes for walleye and grass carp in the Sandusky River and Bay, OH. The detection data also includes information about the receivers that recorded the detection of acoustic telemetry tags implanted in walleye and grass carp from from 2014 to 2021. Receiver attributes include location and deployment history of each receiver. Detections indicate where and when an individual fish implanted with a unique acoustic telemetry tag was recorded by a receiver. The attributes for each individual fish implanted with a tag and detected by a receiver include biological characteristics, tag details, and post-tagging release location.

Data on the detection range and efficiency of VR2W-69 kHz acoustic receivers (Innovasea Marine Systems Canada Inc., Bedford, Nova Scotia, Canada; https://www.vemco.com/) were collected to guide the development of telemetry studies of the Clear Lake Hitch (Lavinia exilicauda chi), an imperiled fish species endemic to Clear Lake, Lake County, California. The study took place June 21, 2021 through July 01, 2021. Receivers we deployed at distances of 0m, 25m, 50m, 100m, 200m, and 300m from a sentinel test tag. The test tag was deployed for 20 minutes and emitted signals approximately 6-7 times per minute. Data recorded included the total number of signals emitted by the test tag and the number of those signals that were detected by each receiver. Receiver performance was evaluated in five habitat types: nearshore beach, nearshore with dock pilings, nearshore with a rock reinforced bank (riprap), nearshore with submergent aquatic vegetation, and offshore open water. Five evaluations were conducted in each habitat type. Water depth was measured at each receiver. Basic water quality parameters (Temperature °C, Specific Conductance µS/cm, Salinity PSU, DO saturation %, DO concentration mg/L, pH, Depth, Turbidity FNU, and Chlorophyll µg/L) were measured at the 0m, 100m, and 300m distances with a handheld YSI EXO2 Sonde (Yellow Springs Instruments, Yellow Spring, OH).

Data on the detection range and efficiency of VR2W-69 kHz acoustic receivers (Innovasea Marine Systems Canada Inc., Bedford, Nova Scotia, Canada; https://www.vemco.com/) were collected to guide the development of telemetry studies of the Clear Lake Hitch (Lavinia exilicauda chi), an imperiled fish species endemic to Clear Lake, Lake County, California. The study took place June 21, 2021 through July 01, 2021. Receivers we deployed at distances of 0m, 25m, 50m, 100m, 200m, and 300m from a sentinel test tag. The test tag was deployed for 20 minutes and emitted signals approximately 6-7 times per minute. Data recorded included the total number of signals emitted by the test tag and the number of those signals that were detected by each receiver. Receiver performance was evaluated in five habitat types: nearshore beach, nearshore with dock pilings, nearshore with a rock reinforced bank (riprap), nearshore with submergent aquatic vegetation, and offshore open water. Five evaluations were conducted in each habitat type. Water depth was measured at each receiver. Basic water quality parameters (Temperature °C, Specific Conductance µS/cm, Salinity PSU, DO saturation %, DO concentration mg/L, pH, Depth, Turbidity FNU, and Chlorophyll µg/L) were measured at the 0m, 100m, and 300m distances with a handheld YSI EXO2 Sonde (Yellow Springs Instruments, Yellow Spring, OH).

This study deployed acoustic telemetry at the Fox River Navigational System Authority (FRNSA) in lock #2 and the upstream and downstream pools in Kaukauna, WI to document movements and behavior of telemetered fish species in response to injection of carbon dioxide. Telemetry equipment was setup in the test area for approximately 2 months during the summer of 2019. CSV metadata includes telemetry data with position estimates for fish during this time.

This study deployed acoustic telemetry at the Fox River Navigational System Authority (FRNSA) in lock #2 and the upstream and downstream pools in Kaukauna, WI to document movements and behavior of telemetered fish species in response to injection of carbon dioxide. Telemetry equipment was setup in the test area for approximately 2 months during the summer of 2019. CSV metadata includes telemetry data with position estimates for fish during this time.

Lingcod (Ophiodon elongatus) populations along the West Coast of North America have recovered from overfishing, but the status of genetically distinct lingcod in Puget Sound, Washington is less clear. This project will use small-scale lingcod releases to learn about the benefits and risks of using stock enhancement as a tool to help rebuild marine fish populations. We have conducted experiments to improve rearing methods, improve release methods, and learn about lingcod life history, and are proceeding with a before-after-control-impact study that will quantify ecological impacts on wild fishes. WDFW collaborates on this project by conducting creel surveys. This project has been or is currently supported by the Science Consortium for Ocean Replenishment, the Puget Sound Recreational Fisheries Enhancement Fund, and NOAA Aquaculture. Previous or present partners include the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission, the Nisqually Tribe, WDFW, and the Washington SCUBA Alliance. Data from mobile Vemco VR28 acoustic hydrophone array towed behind a boat in South Puget Sound. Contains detections of hatchery lingcod.

Acoustic telemetry is a widely used method in assaying behavioural dynamics in fishes. Telemetry tags are often surgically implanted in the coelom of the animal and are assumed to have minimal rates of post-release mortality and tag shedding. However, fish are capable expelling tags and mortalities do occur following release, with the mechanism(s) underlying these effects not well understood. The purpose of this research was to address causal factors underlying tagging mortality and tag expulsion in fishes. We conducted an empirical assessment of tag retention and post-surgical mortality rates in post-smolt Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) fitted with a dummy acoustic tag over a 92 day monitoring period. This was complimented with a meta-analysis of factors affecting tag retention and post-surgical mortality rates in the wider literature. Post-smolt salmon exhibited low rates of mortality following tag implantation (≤ 5.1%) but had high rates of tag expulsion (54.8%) and impaired growth and a foreign body response was evident. The meta-analysis showed that mortality was generally low across all studies (12.4%) and was largely unaffected by model cofactors. Tag retention rates were high among the studies investigated here (86.7%) and had a weak negative relationship with tag: body mass ratios. Our results suggest that while mortality is often low among tagging studies, including this one, caution must be exercised in assessing stationary tags as they may represent an expelled tag rather than a mortality event. Our results also indicate that tag dimensions are not nearly important as the tag: body mass ratio. Lawrence, M.J., Wilson, B.M., Reid, G.K. et al. The fate of intracoelomic acoustic transmitters in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) post-smolts and wider considerations for causal factors driving tag retention and mortality in fishes. Anim Biotelemetry 11, 40 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40317-023-00351-0 Cite this data as: Lawrence, M.J., Wilson, B.M., Reid, G.K., Hawthorn, C., English. G, Black, M, Leadbeater, S., McKindsey, C.W., Trudel, M. The fate of intracoelomic acoustic transmitters in Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar) post-smolts and wider considerations for casual factors driving tag retention and mortality in fishes. Published October 2023. Coastal Ecosystem Science Division, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, St Andrews, NB.