Hydrostatic Stability of Marine Tagging Devices

The field of biotelemetry, encompassing diverse techniques for remotely measuring the physiology, behavior, and energetic status of free-living animals, has revolutionized ecological research. Among these innovations, tag devices, have emerged as an indispensable tool for unraveling important information regarding several animal species, namely sharks. These devices operate within the dynamic and challenging marine environment, where sharks navigate varying depths, temperatures, and pressures. Given the challenging operational conditions that a tag undergoes, it becomes imperative to not only consider the gravitational forces acting on the device but also account for the impact of buoyancy. Therefore, a comprehensive understanding and incorporation of these hydrostatic principles are paramount for optimizing the performance and stability of tags within their operational environments. In this regard, the present work explores the relationship between hydrostatics and tag device design. The findings revealed that the tag designed for shark monitoring is stable in both submerged and surfaced conditions.