A Review: Marine Bio-logging of Animal Behaviour and Ocean Environments

Abstract

Recent technologies have allowed researchers to observe animal behaviour and monitor their surrounding environments by deploying electronic sensors onto the animals. So-called ‘bio-logging’ (also known as animal telemetry, biotelemetry, or animal-borne sensors) has been widely used to study marine animals that are difficult for humans to observe. In this study, we 1) review the types of sensors used, the animal taxa studied, and the study areas in marine bio-logging publications from 1974 to 2019; 2) introduce the main topics in behavioural and environmental marine bio-logging studies; and 3) discuss suggestions for future marine bio-logging studies. We expect that technological advances in new sensors will enhance the ability of both behavioural ecologists and oceanographers to explore animal movements, physiology and marine environments. In addition, we discuss future perspectives of bio-loggers to improve data acquisition and accuracy with longer battery life for applying bio-logging techniques to broader species.