Improving a Biologging Tag for the Persistent Monitoring of American Lobster Physiology and Movemetn

Abstract

Noise from off-shore wind farm construction and operation will impact animals in these marine environments. Our project sponsor would like to investigate the relationship between ocean noise and stress on the American Lobster. Changes in heart rate and behavior have been used to quantify stress response in animals. The C-HAT biologger has been used to measure stress using an IR heart rate sensor, but is large compared to an adult lobster. Our project is focused on reducing tag size, improving attachment with the animal to enhance IR measurement quality and reduce impact to the lobster.