Abstract
Obtaining high resolution data on the physical and biological conditions in marine ecosystems is needed to better understand the impacts of environmental variability. The instrumentation of deep-diving, large marine predators has proven useful in sampling these conditions below the surface at fine spatio-temporal scales that would otherwise be extremely challenging. Data were retrieved from 94 grey seals (Halichoerus grypus; 25 males, 69 females) instrumented with Mk10-AF FastlocTM GPS devices on Sable Island, Nova Scotia, Canada between 2009 and 2015. These devices were programmed to record high resolution location data every 15 min as well as depth (m), temperature (°C), and light level every 10 s during dives. Oceanographic data from 595,866 dive profiles were used to estimate mixed layer depth, sea-surface temperature, upper-water column temperature, and chlorophyll-a concentration. Sampling covered about 70% of the Scotian Shelf, with a monthly average of about 26%. These data allow for monitoring of areas that are ecologically important and serve to complement other methods of oceanographic sampling.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | 102453 |
| Journal | Progress in Oceanography |
| Volume | 189 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Nov 1 2020 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:We are grateful to Deborah Austin, Greg Breed, Suzanne Budge, Bob Farmer, Nell den Heyer, Susan Heaslip, Warren Joyce, Shelley Lang, Paul LeBlanc, Elizabeth Leadon, Chad McEwan, Jim McMillan, Rob Ronconi, Heather Smith, Sean Smith, John Tremblay, Megan Wilson, and Sarah Wong for assistance in the field. We are also grateful for infrastructure support provided on Sable Island by Environment Canada and Parks Canada. We are grateful for the helpful comments of two reviewers and the editor. The study was supported through a Research Network Grant (NETGP 375118–08) acquired by the Ocean Tracking Network from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) of Canada, funds from the Canadian Foundation for Innovation (#30200), NSERC Discovery Grants to WDB and SJI, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Canada, and a Nova Scotia Graduate Scholarship to BVRN. The role of these funding bodies was limited to providing funds and were not involved in the design of the study, data collection, analysis, interpretation of data nor in writing the manuscript. BVRN was involved in the design of the study, analysis of the data, and drafted the text and graphics for the manuscript. WDB was involved in securing funding for the study, design of the study, data collection, and provided guidance on the analysis of the data. DCL was involved in securing funding for the study, the design of the study, and data collection. SJI was involved in securing funding for the study and the design of the study. All authors provided editorial comments on a draft manuscript and have approved the final manuscript.
Funding Information:
The study was supported through a Research Network Grant (NETGP 375118–08) acquired by the Ocean Tracking Network from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) of Canada, funds from the Canadian Foundation for Innovation (#30200), NSERC Discovery Grants to WDB and SJI, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Canada, and a Nova Scotia Graduate Scholarship to BVRN.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2020
ASJC Scopus Subject Areas
- Aquatic Science
- Geology
