No Cover Image

Journal article 35 views

Methods for tagging whale sharks: insights into performance and best practices with a focus on clamp attachments

Freya C. Womersley, Sofia Green, Alberto Garcia-Baciero, Ronan Conlon, Amy L. Jeffries, Matt J. Waller, Sara S. Ratão, Nuno Queiroz, Pedro Afonso, Gonzalo Araujo, Adam Barnett, Christine Barry, Michael L. Berumen, Farukhkha Bloch, Ginevra Boldrocchi, Camrin D. Braun, Ryan Caillouet, Constance Chapman, Jesse E. M. Cochran, Rafael de la Parra, Stella Diamant, Alistair D. M. Dove, Matthew Dunbabin, Mark V. Erdmann, Luciana C. Ferreira, Richard Fitzpatrick, Jorge Fontes, Adrian C. Gleiss, Jonathan R. Green, Lucas P. Griffin, Curtice R. Griffin, Royale S. Hardenstine, Abdi Hassan, Alex R. Hearn, Jill M. Hendon, Mochamad Iqbal Herwata Putra, Eric Hoffmayer, Lisa Hoopes, Robert E. Hueter, Sajan John, Jake Levenson, Sonny Lewis, Bruno C. L. Macena, Mark G. Meekan, Ingo B. Miller, Brad Norman, Jens Paulsen, Cameron Perry, Simon J. Pierce, Samantha D. Reynolds, David P. Robinson, Christoph A. Rohner, Jennifer Schmidt, Edy Setyawan, Abraham B. Sianipar, Jamison Smith, Simon R. Thorrold, Michele Thums, Rory Wilson Orcid Logo, Emily J. Southall, David W. Sims

Animal Biotelemetry

Swansea University Author: Rory Wilson Orcid Logo

Full text not available from this repository: check for access using links below.

Check full text

DOI (Published version): 10.1186/s40317-026-00462-4

Abstract

Background: Biologging and telemetry have transformed our understanding of marine megafauna movement ecology. Yet, methodological constraints continue to limit data quality and deployment duration. Devices recording whale shark (Rhincodon typus) behaviours and movements have been used for decades, b...

Full description

Published in: Animal Biotelemetry
ISSN: 2050-3385
Published: Springer Nature 2026
Online Access: Check full text

URI: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa71708
Abstract: Background: Biologging and telemetry have transformed our understanding of marine megafauna movement ecology. Yet, methodological constraints continue to limit data quality and deployment duration. Devices recording whale shark (Rhincodon typus) behaviours and movements have been used for decades, but they remain challenging to deploy and vary in success. Recently, spring-loaded clamp-based systems have emerged as one of the most widely used approaches to attach electronic tags to the fins of this globally endangered species. Currently, however, no consensus guidelines exist as to how to optimise this approach, potentially leading to continued underperforming deployments limiting analysis potential. Here, we synthesise experiences with clamp-based tagging worldwide through a targeted survey of whale shark researchers. We explore performance and challenges with a view to propose current best practices in the field. Results: Whale shark researcher responses to the survey highlighted clamp-based systems as a practical and more widely applicable approach than drill-based methods, which are often used to secure tags to other large sharks. They also noted that clamps have greater retention potential and are suitable for a wider range of tags compared to dart-based methods, but are still constrained by design, placement, and deployment conditions. Researchers used a variety of materials and designs to build their own clamps, often facilitated by direct collaboration with each other or key manufacturers. Clamps produced highly variable outcomes, ranging from successful long-term satellite transmissions over 200 days and short-term biologging for 48 h at 20 Hz, to premature detachment and cases of fin damage. For long-term clamps, changes in position on the fin allowed for more stable satellite transmissions over time. Some clamp designs achieved data quantity and quality close to that of drilled deployments, demonstrating their potential to rival traditional methods while offering a less invasive approach. Results emphasised the ongoing need for technological refinement and rigorous evaluation of clamp performance and associated impacts. Conclusions: Based on collective insights, we present a unified approach to clamp design and positioning, and identify key priorities for advancing this attachment technology, such as aiming for positions b-2 and c-2 on the fin and ensuring the clamp bridge distance (always between 30 and 50 mm) and tension are matched to shark size. Optimising clamp systems could substantially improve our ability to generate high-quality, long-duration movement data while minimising tagging impacts on the animal where possible. This could enhance ecological and conservation research outcomes for endangered whale sharks, with broader implications for tagging other large-bodied marine megafauna.
Item Description: Methodology
Keywords: Animal movement; Spatial ecology; Satellite tracking; Biologging technology; Rhincodon typus; Minimally-invasive techniques; Conservation technology
College: Faculty of Science and Engineering
Funders: F.C.W., R.C., A.J., M.W., E.J.S., and D.W.S. were supported by a European Research Council Advanced Grant (no.883583 OCEAN DEOXYFISH) awarded to D.W.S within the European Union Horizon 2020 Research Programme. D.W.S. is supported by a Marine Biological Association Senior Research Fellowship.

Similar Items