Homing abilities of dolphinfish (Coryphaena hippurus) displaced from fish aggregating devices (FADs) determined using ultrasonic telemetry

Other titles Étude par télémétrie ultrasonique des capacités de retour de dorades coryphènes (Coryphaena hippurus) déplacées de dispositifs de concentrations de poissons (DCP)
Type Article
Date 2007-10
Language English
Author(s) Girard C1, Dagorn L1, Taquet Marc2, Aumeeruddy R3, Peignon C4, Benhamou S5
Affiliation(s) 1 : UR Thetis, IRD, CRH, F-34230 Sete, France.
2 : IFREMER, CRH, F-34230 Sete, France.
3 : SFA Inc, Victoria, Seychelles.
4 : UR Thetis, IRD, Victoria, Seychelles.
5 : CEFE CNRS, F-34293 Montpellier, France.
Source Aquatic Living Resources (0990-7440) (EDP Sciences), 2007-10 , Vol. 20 , N. 4 , P. 313-321
DOI 10.1051/alr:2008005
WOS© Times Cited 23
Keyword(s) Indian Ocean, Orientation behaviour, Floating objects, Horizontal movements, Fish behaviour, Ultrasonic telemetry
Abstract We conducted displacement experiments using acoustic tags to study the orientation abilities of dolphinfish (Coryphaena hippurus) around FADs. Eleven fish were passively monitored using coded transmitters and acoustic receivers attached to FADs, while seven others were actively tracked with a vessel using continuous acoustic tags equipped with pressure sensors. All these 18 dolphinfish were captured close to a FAD and released between 70 and 1720 m from it. Five fish out of the 14 that were displaced at more than 360 m from a FAD ( estimated detection range of our acoustic receivers, defining the target area during our experiment) returned to the target area. With one individual successfully returning to the target area after having been released at 1600 m from the FAD, the rate of return of fish released up to this distance was significantly higher than expected if they were moving at random, but many fish released at intermediate distances moved in other directions. Based on detailed statistical analysis of the return score, we estimated that dolphinfish are able to orientate towards a FAD area from at least 820 m. The connection between our definition of the target area and the association area of dolphinfish around a FAD is discussed, as well as the impact of stress and motivation in the rates of return observed. More experiments should be conducted to improve this first estimate. Specific experiments should also be designed to more accurately determine the association range of fish around FADs and their motivation to orientate towards FADs.
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Girard C, Dagorn L, Taquet Marc, Aumeeruddy R, Peignon C, Benhamou S (2007). Homing abilities of dolphinfish (Coryphaena hippurus) displaced from fish aggregating devices (FADs) determined using ultrasonic telemetry. Aquatic Living Resources, 20(4), 313-321. Publisher's official version : https://doi.org/10.1051/alr:2008005 , Open Access version : https://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00000/3732/