The power of national acoustic tracking networks to assess the impacts of human activity on marine organisms during the COVID-19 pandemic

Charlie Huveneers; Fabrice R A Jaine; Adam Barnett; Paul A Butcher; Thomas M Clarke; Leanne M Currey-Randall; Ross G Dwyer; Luciana C Ferreira; Adrian C Gleiss; Xavier Hoenner; Daniel Ierodiaconou; Elodie J.I Lédée; Mark G Meekan; Hugh Pederson; Justin R Rizzari; Paul D van Ruth; Jayson M Semmens; Matthew D Taylor; Vinay Udyawer; Peter Walsh; Robert Harcourt; Michelle R Heupel

doi:10.1016/j.biocon.2021.108995

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The power of national acoustic tracking networks to assess the impacts of human activity on marine organisms during the COVID-19 pandemic

Journal article

Peer reviewed

The power of national acoustic tracking networks to assess the impacts of human activity on marine organisms during the COVID-19 pandemic

Charlie Huveneers, Fabrice R A Jaine, Adam Barnett, Paul A Butcher, Thomas M Clarke, Leanne M Currey-Randall, Ross G Dwyer, Luciana C Ferreira, Adrian C Gleiss, Xavier Hoenner, …

Biological Conservation, Vol.256, pp.1-13

2021

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2021.108995

PMCID: PMC8457752

PMID: 34580542

Appears in COVID-19 Research

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Abstract

acoustic telemetry

coronovirus

IMOS

national network

monitoring

white shark

wildlife tourism

yellowtail kingfish

COVID-19

COVID-19 restrictions have led to an unprecedented global hiatus in anthropogenic activities, providing a unique opportunity to assess human impact on biological systems. Here, we describe how a national network of acoustic tracking receivers can be leveraged to assess the effects of human activity on animal movement and space use during such global disruptions. We outline variation in restrictions on human activity across Australian states and describe four mechanisms affecting human interactions with the marine environment: 1) reduction in economy and trade changing shipping traffic; 2) changes in export markets affecting commercial fisheries; 3) alterations in recreational activities; and 4) decline in tourism. We develop a roadmap for the analysis of acoustic tracking data across various scales using Australia’s national Integrated Marine Observing System (IMOS) Animal Tracking Facility as a case study. We illustrate the benefit of sustained observing systems and monitoring programs by assessing how a 51-day break in white shark (Carcharodon carcharias) cage-diving tourism due to COVID-19 restrictions affected the behaviour and space use of two resident species. This cessation of tourism activities represents the longest break since cage-diving vessels started day trips in this area in 2007. Long-term monitoring of the local environment reveals that the activity space of yellowtail kingfish (Seriola lalandi) was reduced when cage-diving boats were absent compared to periods following standard tourism operations. However, white shark residency and movements were not affected. Our roadmap is globally applicable and will assist researchers in designing studies to assess how anthropogenic activities can impact animal movement and distributions during regional, short-term through to major, unexpected disruptions like the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Title: The power of national acoustic tracking networks to assess the impacts of human activity on marine organisms during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Charlie Huveneers (Author) - Flinders University
Fabrice R A Jaine (Author) - Macquarie University
Adam Barnett (Author) - James Cook University
Paul A Butcher (Author) - New South Wales Department of Primary Industries
Thomas M Clarke (Author) - Flinders University
Leanne M Currey-Randall (Author) - Australian Institute of Marine Science
Ross G Dwyer (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Science and Engineering - Legacy
Luciana C Ferreira (Author) - Australian Institute of Marine Science
Adrian C Gleiss (Author) - Murdoch University
Xavier Hoenner (Author) - CSIRO Oceans and Atmosphere
Daniel Ierodiaconou (Author) - Deakin University
Elodie J.I Lédée (Author) - Carleton University
Mark G Meekan (Author) - Australian Institute of Marine Science
Hugh Pederson (Author) - InnovaSea Systems (United States)
Justin R Rizzari (Author) - Deakin University
Paul D van Ruth (Author) - South Australian Research and Development Institute
Jayson M Semmens (Author) - University of Tasmania
Matthew D Taylor (Author) - Port Stephens Fisheries Institute
Vinay Udyawer (Author) - Australian Institute of Marine Science
Peter Walsh (Author) - University of Tasmania
Robert Harcourt (Author) - Macquarie University
Michelle R Heupel (Author) - Australian Institute of Marine Science
Publication details: Biological Conservation, Vol.256, pp.1-13
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date published: 2021
DOI: 10.1016/j.biocon.2021.108995
ISSN: 1873-2917
PMID: 34580542; PMC8457752
Organisation Unit: School of Science and Engineering - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Science, Technology and Engineering
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99510608202621
Output Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration; International collaboration
Web Of Science research areas: Biodiversity Conservation; Ecology; Environmental Sciences

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