IMOS - Australian Animal Tracking and Monitoring System (AATAMS) Facility

AATAMS represents the higher biological monitoring of the marine environment for the IMOS program. Currently AATAMS uses acoustic technology, CTD satellite trackers and bio loggers to monitor coastal and oceanic movements of marine animals from the Australian mainland to the sub-Antarctic islands and as far south as the Antarctic continent.

Acoustic monitoring is a powerful tool for observing tagged marine animals with networks or cross shelf arrays (curtains) of receivers, allowing animals to be monitored over scales of 100s of metres to 100s of kilometres. An array or network consists of a series of acoustic receivers that can be left on the sea floor for up to 7 years with the ability to upload data as often as needed. NCRIS and partner investments will target areas identified by regional nodes. Three regions will be targeted: the east coast of Australia, northwestern Western Australia and South Australia.

VR2's deployed in conjunction with other moorings will provide information on long range movement of a variety of species including endangered and protected species (i.e. White Sharks and Grey Nurse Sharks), and valuable commercial species (i.e. Tuna)

Curtains are mobile and can be deployed in different configurations for specific IMOS projects. The continued coordination of acoustic tag codes between researchers means that acoustic array around Australia will provide the combined infrastructure to monitor movement of highly migratory marine species between all jurisdictions.

CTD satellite trackers and bio loggers currently deployed on a large range of animals are collecting a wide range of data. This includes behavioural and physical data such as the depth, temperature, salinity and movement effort of individual marine animals.

AATAMS is set up to collect data over a long period of time. This sustained approach will enable researchers to assess the effects of climate change, ocean acidification and other physical changes that affect animals within the marine environment.