Mul, Evert
Blanchet, Marie-Anne
Biuw, Martin
Rikardsen, Audun
Funding for this research was provided by:
VISTA (6169)
Horizon 2020 (677039)
Article History
Received: 11 January 2019
Accepted: 3 May 2019
First Online: 17 May 2019
Ethics approval
: The placement of two tags on one individual male was not a planned event and precautions were taken during this study to minimize the risk of tagging the same individual twice: (1) the target animal was always followed prior to the tagging event in order to manoeuvre the boat in a proper position facilitating the tag placement, (2) tagged animals were identified, based on characteristics of the dorsal fin and the saddlepatch and photographed, (3) all animals were tagged on the same side of the dorsal fin, (4) tags were only deployed from a distance of less than 15 m. However, light and weather conditions during the winter in Northern Norway can be challenging. In this particular tagging event, the first tag was placed at the base of the dorsal fin and was poorly visible when the animal was at the surface. Upon the discovery that we double tagged an animal, the Norwegian Food Safety Authority (Mattilsynet) was contacted immediately. This body is the responsible authority for animal research in Norway. After investigation, Mattilsynet decided that all required precautions had been taken and that our methods were in line with our tagging permit. Mattilsynet agreed that although unplanned, this event could benefit marine mammal research by providing insight into the functioning of electronic tags that are placed at different heights on the body of a cetacean. They fully support the present study and granted permission to double tag one animal a posteriori. No reaction was observed during either tagging occasion, and the animal continued to feed with the other animals from its group, alongside the fishing boats. Tagging procedures were approved by the Norwegian Food Safety Authorities (Mattilsynet), under the permit: FOTS-ID 14135, and evaluated by an accredited veterinarian (Mattilsynet Report nr. 2017/279575).
: Not applicable.
: The authors declare that they have no competing interests.