The Great Swordfish Race

 How does a pop-up satellite tag work?

Pop-up satellite archival tags (PSATs) are used to track the movement of marine animals, particularly highly migratory species such as sharks, tuna and billfish. The tags are like mini computers that are externally attached to the fish and travel along with the fish whilst logging information on water depth, light levels and temperature, and gathering information on its location (geolocation).  This allows us to gain a greater understanding of the behaviour of the fish, their migratory patterns and catch and release survival.  The great benefit of satellite tags is that they do not have to be retrieved to collect the recorded information. After a predetermined time (twelve months) the tag decouples from the fish and ‘pops-off’, floating to the surface. The tag then transmits the data that it has stored whilst it has been underwater to orbiting satellites that pass overhead. This data is then relayed back to DPI.

The project will provide us with data on the exciting new recreational fishery including information on the timing and availability of swordfish in NSW, whether swordfish tend to return back to the same grounds seasonally and their suitability for catch and release. DPI is undertaking the project with the Australian National Sportfishing Association (NSW) and NSW Game Fishing Association.