Enhanced Data Throughput from Animal-Borne Tags via Land Based Argos-Style Receivers

Increasingly sophisticated electronic tags are now capable of acquiring and archiving large amounts of environmental data (e.g., depth, temperature, oxygen) in addition to providing the geographic locations (tracks) of the tagged animals. However, because Argos satellite availability is sparse in many parts of the world, uploading stored data from animals that are only briefly at the surface can be problematic. We have installed and tested a network of land based Argos style receivers at various locations in the Hawaiian Islands. Data throughput has increased dramatically (sometimes >10 fold) and detection ranges of up to 90 kilometers have been documented. This kind of enhanced data throughput could add significant power to the ATN concept. This paper will provide an overview of the results obtained to date.