Enhancing coastal oceanography understanding with biologging devices: initial findings from a basque country study

Abstract

Biologging devices are small loggers attached to animals, equipped with multiple sensors that monitor oceanographic variables challenging to measure through human-based sampling methods such as vessel-based surveys or autonomous vehicles. These devices have revolutionized the study of marine environments by providing detailed and continuous data on various parameters. Recent advancements in biologging technology have enabled the attachment of sensors to a wide range of marine animals, allowing researchers to collect data on temperature, depth, salinity, and other oceanographic variables. This method has proven particularly useful in areas where traditional sampling methods are impractical or impossible. In this study, we utilized biologging devices equipped with temperature sensors on coastal diving predators to provide temperature profiles in regions inaccessible to remote sensing, radar, or oceanographic vessels. The European shag (Gulosus aristotelis) served as a key species for this research, offering valuable data on coastal temperature variations. The use of biologging devices on the European shag has demonstrated the potential of this technology to fill gaps in our understanding of coastal oceanography. By attaching temperature sensors to these birds, we obtained high-resolution temperature data from areas typically difficult to sample. This approach not only enhances our knowledge of coastal oceanographic conditions but also contributes to management by providing insights into the interactions between protected predators and highly modified human coastal environments.