Development of a Short, Integrated, Consolidated Satellite Tag Designed to Anchor in the Blubber of Right Whales ( Eubalaena spp.)

Abstract

Right whales (genus Eubalaena ) are among the most endangered baleen whales in the world. Investigating their spatial ecology and movement patterns is essential to assess their vulnerability to anthropogenic threats and to promote management and conservation. Satellite tagging has been established as a powerful tool to understand cetacean habitat use, but invasive tag configurations have raised concerns about the potential for health impact on tagged individuals, especially for endangered species. In this study, the development and application of new fully integrated, consolidated tags designed to anchor in the blubber of right whales is described. SPOT‐177S ( n = 29) and SPOT‐396 ( n = 9) tag designs were deployed in southern right whales ( Eubalaena australis ) in Argentina. Tag duration ranged from approximately 11–50 days (average = 24 days). No statistical differences in transmission duration were found across sex, demographic category (mothers with calves and solitary animals), year, and tag design. In addition, the use of a polydopamine antimicrobial coating did not contribute significantly to improving tag duration. These shorter, right whale “blubber‐only” tags fill a gap between percutaneous instruments with external electronics and those that are fully implanted but anchor below the blubber‐muscle interface. Therefore, they represent a less invasive tool for research questions on right whale movements and habitat use that can be answered with transmission durations of 2–7 weeks. These new instruments may also be applicable as a subfascial design for smaller baleen whale species with relatively thin blubber layers.

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