In contrast, radio tags are used in more localized research. These tags have a line of sight coverage. The continuous signal can be heard by the researchers whenever the whale surfaces, allowing them to home in on the beep and track the whale. New multi-sensor VHS tags are able to collect a wide variety of data, all of which is stored in the tag package. After a certain length of time, the tag comes off the whale.
Researchers then collect the tag and the data.
David Wiley, the researcher I accompanied on the right whale tagging trip several weeks ago, notes that scientists have to take into account changes in the whale's behavior that may be directly attributed to the tag. The less invasive the tag, the less likely for it to affect the whale's behavior. Satellite tags run in the thousands of dollars. That's all for this report. This is Anne Smrcina, education coordinator of the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary headquartered in Plymouth, Mass., signing off.