This document summarizes an acoustic tag study conducted at the Seattle Aquarium in 2011. Three species - Canary Rockfish, Yellowtail Rockfish, and Coho Salmon - were implanted with acoustic tags and their 3D movements were monitored and displayed in real-time using an acoustic telemetry system. Over 3,100 people attended the public event to view the real-time 3D tracks. The study demonstrated the ability to simultaneously monitor multiple species and observe species-specific behaviors. Real-time acoustic tagging provides valuable information about animal movement and interactions in both marine and freshwater environments.

1. Monitoring The Three-Dimensional Movement of Multi-Species
Assemblages in a Modeled Environment Using Acoustic Tag Technology:
Results from HTI’s 2011 at the Seattle Aquarium
Tracey W. Steig
Hydroacoustic Technology, Inc.
715 N.E. Northlake Way
Seattle, WA 98105
(206) 633-3383
tsteig@HTIsonar.com
© 2012 Hydroacoustic Technology, Inc.

2. Presentation Outline
Acoustic Tag Study Location
 Steinhart Aquarium in San Francisco in 2007
 Seattle Aquarium in Seattle in 2011
Acoustic Tag System
 HTI Model 290 Acoustic Tag Receiver
 HTI Model 795 Acoustic Tags
Study Results
 3D Tracks and Position Densities
 Simultaneous Monitoring of Multi-Species
 Comparison of Species-Specific Behaviors
T. Steig AFS 2012 Presentation August 22, 2012

3. Live Telemetry Demo at AFS 2007
In 2007, at the Steinhart Aquarium in San Francisco, HTI
demonstrated real-time acoustic tag tracking of alligator gar.
The gar were fed herring which were implanted with acoustic
tags.
The 3D gar positions were shown in real-time on projected
screens near the tank. Animations were created of the 3D
results. For more information regarding this study, see this link:
http://www.htisonar.com/case-studies-alligator-gar.htm

4. The Seattle Aquarium
Window on Washington
Waters (WOWW) Tank
includes large rock
formations which serve as
habitat for anemones, sea
stars, urchins and coral.
This marine aquarium has
inverted glass planes for
viewing at two different
locations and incorporates
complex rock structures
that made positioning
acoustically-tagged fish in
3D challenging.

5. Aquatic Environment
WOWW Tank – Designed to replicate the
seascape around Neah Bay on the NW
tip of Washington State.
Capacity
120,000 gallons
Size
Roughly 20 ft by 40 ft by 20 ft
Non symmetrical dimensions, complex
monitoring environment
Species Tracked with Acoustic Tags
Canary Rockfish (Sebastes pinniger)
Yellowtail Rockfish (S. flavidus)
Coho Salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch)
Tag Parameters & Monitoring Duration
~ 3 pulses/sec, 3 msec Encoded PW
~ 3 hours of data collection (& partying)

6. Acoustic Telemetry System
Model 290 Acoustic Tag Receiver
9 of 16 Channels Used
for Real-Time 3D Tracking Study
• Real-time 3D tracking, positioning and displaying.
• No problems associated with tag signal collisions. Hydrophone
• No problems associated with false positive ID tag codes. x9
T. Steig AFS 2012 Presentation August 22, 2012

7. Model 795 & 800 Acoustic Tags
0.5 gm, 15-20 d life
0.67 gm, 20-35 d life
1.4 gm, 40-50 d life
3.1 gm, 45-65 d life
13 gm, > 6 mo life
23 gm, > 3 yr life
Tags operate at 307 kHz and are fully programmable
for pulse width, period, and activation.
T. Steig AFS 2012 Presentation August 22, 2012

8. Standard 3-D Hydrophone Geometry
 3D positioning requires receiving the same transmitted
signal on at least 4 hydrophones
 Ideal hydrophone geometry has equal separation in X,
Y, and Z planes (i.e. cube shaped hydrophone array)
 Accurate hydrophone positions are required for accurate
tag position estimate
 Signal arrival time differences
Z
are used to calculate the 3D
position of the acoustic tag
Y
relative to the hydrophones
X
Ehrenberg, J.E. and T.W. Steig. 2003. Improved techniques for
studying the temporal and spatial behavior of fish in a fixed
location. ICES J of Mar. Sci, 60: 700-706.

9. Canary Rockfish – Seattle Aquarium

10. Yellowtail Rockfish – Seattle Aquarium

11. Coho Salmon – Seattle Aquarium

12. The Aquarium’s Wi-Fi was used to transmit the acoustic tag data.
This provided real-time 3D fish positions which were displayed on
screens, monitors, laptops and smart phones throughout the Aquarium.

13. Summary Results
T. Steig AFS 2012 Presentation August 22, 2012

14. Conclusions
 Over 3,100 people came to HTI and AFS Student’s Fish Fest! event at the
Seattle Aquarium in 2011.
 Three species of fish were acoustically tagged and monitored in 3D in the
120,000 gallon marine WOWW Tank with the 3D position estimates
displayed in real-time.
 Examples of study results presented included:
 3D Tracks and Position Densities
 Simultaneous Monitoring of Multi-Species
 Comparison of Species-Specific Behaviors
 3D acoustic tag techniques are ideal for:
 Home Range Determinations
 Predator-Prey Interactions
 Bioenergetics Studies
 Real-time acoustic tag studies provide a broad range of information in both
marine and freshwater environments across large and small spatial scales.
T. Steig AFS 2012 Presentation August 22, 2012

15. Final Conclusion:
Science + Fish + Beer = 1 Fun Night in Seattle

16. Thank you.
c
© 2012 Hydroacoustic Technology, Inc.
AFS 2012 Presentation
by Tracey W. Steig
tsteig@HTIsonar.com
(206) 633-3383