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Article History

Received: 20 August 2021

Accepted: 30 July 2022

First Online: 22 August 2022

Declarations

:

: The activities reported in this study involving deployment of RDW tags on large whales were carried out under the authorization of U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service Marine Mammal Protection Act and Endangered Species Act scientific research permit No. 14856 and Oregon State University Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee Permit Nos. 4495 and 4884, issued to Bruce R Mate. The activities involving deployment of the TDR10-F archival tag on large whales were carried out under U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service permit No. 16111-02 issued to John Calambokidis.Implantable electronic tags for large whales are increasingly used as tools for collecting information on physiology, behavior, and ecology, and for enhancing conservation and management policies for their populations []. We recognize, however, that while not well-understood, tags and tagging procedures may have detrimental effects on the subject animals during any of the phases of the research, including approach, deployment, operation, detachment, and post-detachment []. We approach whales and deploy tags in a manner that mitigates disturbance, stress, and harm to the subject animals. To the extent possible, we also conduct follow-up field observations and/or obtain photographs of tagged animals from a network of collaborators and citizen scientists to increase re-sightings for documentation of wound healing, survival, body condition, and reproductive success in the short, medium, and long term. While we have not documented significant effects from our current technology, our tag development philosophy is aligned with the principles of reducing tag size and improving tag deployment equipment [,], while also striving to expand device capabilities and produce richer data streams from the same form factor. However, we also recognize the potential for additional impacts relating to the discomfort experienced by a whale swimming with an implanted tag for extended periods of time. There is evidence that discomfort from tags on wildlife may vary widely by taxa and lifestyle [,]. In large whales, one study suggested that placement of implanted tags high on the body near the dorsal midline and anterior to the dorsal fin will mitigate tissue damage and trauma []. However, a significant information gap remains in our understanding of the level of discomfort associated with implanted intra-muscular tags on whales.

: Not applicable.

: ST is Director of Telonics, Inc., which developed the RDW tags for commercial use. As the manufacturer, Telonics may benefit from the publication of this manuscript.