Keeping the Signal Clear

"Propspeed is a very efficient and easy way of keeping the tags free of fouling."

Summary

Needing a nonmetallic, nontoxic foul-release coating to use on satellite tags, Conservation International started applying Propspeed after a colleague’s recommendation. A year after deployment, Propspeed-coated tags have been recovered with minimal growth.

About

Conservation International's New Zealand base is at the University of Auckland’s Institute of Marine Sciences, where they support country-specific programs throughout the Asia-Pacific region.

In Indonesia, one of their priority programs is working with the government to conduct large-scale satellite and acoustic tagging on manta rays and whale sharks in order to better understand their movements to optimally manage their populations.

"The tagging programs have been very successful to date, providing a tremendous amount of exciting data. Propspeed is a very efficient and easy way of keeping the tags free of fouling so they will reliably transmit," says coral reef ecologist Mark Erdmann.

Conservation International is not the only marine research institute using Propspeed. Satellite tag manufacturer Wildlife Computers recommends Propspeed specifically in its user manuals, and now you can even order your tags pre-coated.

For more details, check out Mark Erdmann's blog.

"Propspeed is a very efficient and easy way of keeping the tags free of fouling."