WO2025003841A1

WO2025003841A1 - Monitoring device for a marine animal

Info

Publication number: WO2025003841A1
Application number: PCT/IB2024/056021
Authority: WO
Inventors: Nuno Miguel CABRAL QUEIROZ; Bruno Filipe DA SILVA LOUREIRO; Ivo Matias LOPES DA COSTA; Gonzalo MUCIENTES SANDOVAL; David WILLIAM SIMS
Original assignee: Marine Biological Association; University of Southampton; Associacao Biopolis
Current assignee: Marine Biological Association; University of Southampton; Associacao Biopolis
Priority date: 2023-06-27
Filing date: 2024-06-20
Publication date: 2025-01-02
Anticipated expiration: 2025-12-27

Abstract

The present document discloses a monitoring device for attaching to a marine animal comprising: a pressure sensor for measuring underwater pressure; a first temperature sensor for measuring water temperature; a satellite positioning system for geopositioning the device once on the surface; a first section for facing incoming water when the device is attached to the marine animal, comprising: a first oxygen sensor for measuring dissolved oxygen in the water; a second section for extending beyond a water surface when the device is released from the marine animal and floating, comprising: one or more antennas for communicating with a remote server and receiving and/or transmitting a geolocation signal; wherein the first and second section comprise a floatable outer layer and are coupled in a watertight connection; wherein the first section is a conical frustum, pyramidal frustum, spherical frustum, or trumpet-shaped; wherein the second section is dome-shaped. It is also disclosed a corresponding method of operation and production of the monitoring device.

Description

D E S C R I P T I O N

MONITORING DEVICE FOR A MARINE ANIMAL

TECHNICAL FI ELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a monitoring device for attaching to a marine animal, namely, to capture data on the surrounding environment and/or the animal itself.

BACKGROU ND

[0002] The document KR20220000741A discloses a device for collecting data comprising a fixed base, a tag, and a main battery. The fixed base is fixed to a recording object. The tag is coupled to the fixed base to collect the information related to the recording object. At this time, the tag and the main battery are each detachably coupled to the fixed base, thus being capable of easily collecting the information for the surrounding environment where the marine life is located. However, this device is not able to obtain information about the target organism in a large area such as the sea, because it can only track an organism within a limited range from the fixed base. Moreover, the mentioned device is not able to measure dissolved oxygen in the water, nor muscle temperature and oxygen concentrations. The device is also not able to structurally withstand up to a depth of 2000m, a typical depth range of many marine organisms (e.g., sharks, tunas, etc).

[0003] The document US2016041255A1 discloses a method and device for tracking movements of marine animals or objects in large bodies of water and across significant distances. The method and device can track an acoustic transmitter attached to an animal or object beneath the ocean surface by employing an unmanned surface vessel equipped with a hydrophone array and GPS receiver. Although the described device is able to track the movements of marine animals over significant distances (using a hydrophone array), it is not able to record the behaviour (e.g., depth, 3D body movement) of a marine organism, nor the surrounding environment (e.g., water temperature, dissolved oxygen), or internal temperature/oxygen concentration; since the device remains exclusively at the surface.

[0004] The document WO2011094824A1 discloses a tag for sharks and other aquatic animals. The tag includes a GPS transmitter, a battery and a hydroelectric generator powered by the continuous motion of a tagged shark through sea water. An alarm system monitors the location of tagged sharks and activates the alarm if sharks approach a designated protected area. The described tag, although able to track the movement of marine fish (in particular, sharks) at sea for extended periods of time, it is not able to record the behaviour (e.g., depth, 3D body movement) of the tagged shark, nor the surrounding environment (e.g., water temperature, dissolved oxygen), or internal temperature/oxygen concentration.

[0005] The document CN218604525U relates to a satellite-ground network integrated animal intelligent ear tag device which comprises a tag body, an antenna module, a communication module, a master control module, a sensor module and a power management module are arranged in the tag body. The described device is not able to track the movements or the behaviour of marine organisms since it is not watertight, nor pressure resistant; no sensors to record body movement or the environmental are present.

[0006] These facts are disclosed to illustrate the technical problem addressed by the present disclosure.

GENERAL DESCRI PTION

[0007] The present document discloses a monitoring device for attaching to a marine animal comprising: a pressure sensor for measuring underwater pressure; a first temperature sensor for measuring water temperature; a satellite positioning system for geopositioning the device once on the surface; a first section for facing incoming water when the device is attached to the marine animal, comprising: a first oxygen sensor for measuring dissolved oxygen in the water; a second section for extending beyond a water surface when the device is released from the marine animal and floating, comprising: one or more antennas for communicating with a remote server and receiving and/or transmitting a geolocation signal; wherein the first and second section comprise a floatable outer layer and are coupled in a watertight connection; wherein the first section is a conical frustum, pyramidal frustum, spherical frustum, or trumpet-shaped; wherein the second section is dome-shaped.

[0008] In an embodiment, the device further comprising: a second oxygen sensor for measuring the oxygen on the animal muscle; or a second temperature sensor for measuring the muscle temperature of the marine animal; or a light sensor for measuring light in the surroundings of the marine animal; or an accelerometer for measuring the 3D body movement of the marine animal; or any combination of these.

[0009] In an embodiment, the device further comprising a watertight opaque coating covering the front face of the first section for blocking the entrance of light, namely into the oxygen sensor.

[0010] In an embodiment, the floatable outer layer is a low-density syntactic foam.

[0011] In an embodiment, the device comprising an epoxy filler for watertightness and structural resistance.

[0012] In an embodiment, the density ratio for the floatable outer layer and the epoxy filler is 0.85 a 0.95, preferably 0.91.

[0013] In an embodiment, the antenna is assembled pa ra I lei ly to the water level once floating on the surface, inside the second section.

[0014] In an embodiment, the device further comprising a magnetometer, e.g., a hall sensor, for detecting a magnetic field or magnetic dipole moment in the exterior of the device.

[0015] In an embodiment, the device wherein the electronic data processor is configured for receiving a user input to start collecting data corresponds to placing a magnet in the vicinity of the hall sensor, or toggle between operation modes (e.g., mission, satellite, data transfer).

[0016] In an embodiment, the device further comprising an induction charger, i.e., an induction coil, for charging the device wirelessly. [0017] It is also disclosed the use of the device attached to a marine animal body via a connection, namely a self-releasable connection.

[0018] It is further disclosed a method of operation of the device comprising the steps: receiving a user input to start collecting data, preferably via a Bluetooth signal to configure tag parameters (e.g., sampling frequency, etc); collecting data from any of the sensors, e.g., oxygen, light, temperature, pressure sensors; sending data to a remote server; and optionally, receiving a user input to transfer data.

[0019] In an embodiment, the data is sent periodically or only when detecting that the device is at least partially above the surface of the water, preferably, every 5 minutes.

[0020] In an embodiment, the step of receiving a user input to start collecting data corresponds to placing a magnet in the vicinity of a hall sensor.

[0021] It is also disclosed a method of production of the device comprising the steps: placing a satellite positioning system, comprising antennas for communicating with a remote server and receiving and/or transmitting a geolocation signal, inside the second section; filling the inside volume of the second section with an epoxy resin; placing the sensors and battery in the first section; filling the inside volume of the first section with an epoxy resin, preferably in multiple steps, since if the entire body is filled in a single step, the epoxy can reach high temperatures (> 100C) that can damage the electronics/batteries; covering with an opaque coating the front face of the first section, optionally the device is coated with a bright colour, e.g., orange, to be better retrieved at sea.

BRI EF DESCRI PTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] The following figures provide preferred embodiments for illustrating the disclosure and should not be seen as limiting the scope of invention.

[0023] Figure 1: Schematic representation, in a longitudinal cut, of an embodiment of a monitoring device for a marine animal.

[0024] Figure 2: Schematic representation, in a transversal cut, of an embodiment of a monitoring device for a marine animal. [0025] Figure 3: Schematic representation, in an external view, of an embodiment of a monitoring device for a marine animal.

DETAI LED DESCRI PTION

[0026] The present document discloses a monitoring device for attaching to a marine animal comprising: a pressure sensor for measuring underwater pressure; a temperature sensor for measuring water temperature; a satellite positioning system for geopositioning the device once on the surface; a first section for facing incoming water when the device is attached to the marine animal, comprising: an oxygen sensor for measuring dissolved oxygen in the water; a second section for extending beyond a water surface when the device is released from the marine animal and floating, comprising: one or more antennas for communicating with a remote server and receiving and/or transmitting a geolocation signal; wherein the first and second section comprise a floatable outer layer and are coupled in a watertight connection; wherein the first section is a conical frustum, pyramidal frustum, spherical frustum, or trumpet-shaped; wherein the second section is dome-shaped. It is also disclosed a corresponding method of operation and production of the monitoring device.

[0027] Figure 1 shows a schematic representation, in a longitudinal cut, of an embodiment of a monitoring device for a marine animal, where: 101 represents a battery, 103 represents an electronic board, 105 represents low density foam, 107 represents a satellite geolocation module, 109 represents an oxygen sensor, 111 represents a coil for inductive charging, and 113 represents an epoxy-filled chamber.

[0028] In an embodiment, the rounded shape on the back of the device, e.g., a dome, corresponds to the top when the device is freed in the water.

[0029] The flat frontal surface is particularly good for marine environments since the water flow hitting directly onto it prevents the accumulation of biofouling (such as crustaceans/algae). It also improves the sensing of the water conditions, e.g., temperature and dissolved oxygen, since it ensures that a continuous water flow passes through it. [0030] In an embodiment, the floatable outer layer is made of a material that structurally stands up to a depth of 2000m, such as low-density syntactic foams.

[0031] The density ratio of 0.85 a 0.95 allows for the device to stably stay at least partly out of the water with the antenna in the dome facing upwards.

[0032] The accelerometer allows to measure the 3D body movements of the marine animal, namely posture (pitch, roll, heading) and behaviour (e.g., stroke frequency and dynamic body acceleration).

[0033] Figure 2 shows a schematic representation, in a transversal cut, of an embodiment of an acceleration data logger monitoring device for a marine animal, where 101 represents a battery, 103 represents an electronic board, 105 represents low density foam, 109 represents an oxygen sensor, 113 represents an epoxy-filled chamber, and 201 represents a pressure and temperature sensor.

[0034] In an embodiment, the device comprises maximum dimensions between 125- 135 mm since objects with larger dimensions have a considerably negative impact in the locomotion of the marine animal, namely water resistance.

[0035] In an embodiment, the light sensor data is used to detect a day/night cycle and/or infer a meridian of the animal location.

[0036] In an embodiment, after the device is released from the animal's body, it floats up to the surface of the water with the rounded-shape up, e.g., the second section corresponds to the top and the first section to the bottom.

[0037] In an embodiment, the device comprising a centre of gravity offset in relation to the centre of buoyancy in a direction from the first section towards the second section, for having a portion above the water if unattached from an animal body.

[0038] Figure 3 shows a schematic representation, in an external view, of an embodiment of an acceleration data logger monitoring device for a marine animal, where 105 represents, 109 represents, and 201 represents a pressure and temperature sensor. [0039] In a first example, the device's pressure, temperature, and oxygen sensors gather data that is sent when it is detected that the device is close to the water surface, e.g., every time that the animal comes to the surface.

[0040] In an embodiment, when the device is reading with the pressure sensor that it is on the surface of the water, waits for a change between 30 to 60 minutes (preferably 45 minutes), if it still senses that is on the surface of the water, it starts sending a GPS signal each 5 minutes to geolocate the device for retrieval.

[0041] With this first example it is possible to have the device on the animal for longer periods of monitoring, but the data points need to be summarized, since the existing satellites do not have enough bandwidth to receive raw data, and that marine animals, like sharks, stay on the surface for short periods of time (e.g., few seconds). For these cases, each message needs to have data for a longer period of time, i.e., the so called time summaries (can range between 1 to 24 hours).

[0042] In a second example, the device further monitors the internal temperature of the animal and the blood oxygen saturation in the animal muscle.

[0043] With this second example it is possible to calculate and compare the energy expenditure, muscle oxygen concentration and temperature of an animal with the dissolved oxygen and temperature in the water.

[0044] The term "comprising" whenever used in this document is intended to indicate the presence of stated features, integers, steps, components, but not to preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components, or groups thereof.

[0045] The disclosure should not be seen in any way restricted to the embodiments described and a person with ordinary skill in the art will foresee many possibilities to modifications thereof. The above-described embodiments are combinable.

[0046] The following claims further set out particular embodiments of the disclosure.

Claims

C L A I M S

1. A monitoring device for attaching to a marine animal comprising: a pressure sensor for measuring underwater pressure; a first temperature sensor for measuring water temperature; a satellite positioning system for geopositioning the device once on the surface; a first section for facing incoming water when the device is attached to the marine animal, comprising: a first oxygen sensor for measuring dissolved oxygen in the water; a second section for extending beyond a water surface when the device is released from the marine animal and floating, comprising: one or more antennas for communicating with a remote server and receiving and/or transmitting a geolocation signal; wherein the first and second section comprise a floatable outer layer and are coupled in a watertight connection; wherein the first section is a conical frustum, pyramidal frustum, spherical frustum, or trumpet-shaped; wherein the second section is dome-shaped.

2. The device according to the previous claim further comprising: a second oxygen sensor for measuring the oxygen on the animal muscle; or a second temperature sensor for measuring the muscle temperature of the marine animal; or a light sensor for measuring light in the surroundings of the marine animal; or an accelerometer for measuring the 3D body movement of the marine animal; or any combination of these.

3. The device according to any of the previous claims further comprising a watertight opaque coating covering the front face of the first section for blocking the entrance of light.

4. The device according to any of the previous claims wherein the floatable outer layer is a low-density syntactic foam.

5. The device according to any of the previous claims comprising an epoxy filler for watertightness and structural resistance.

6. The device according to claims 4 and 5 wherein the density ratio for the floatable outer layer and the epoxy filler is 0.85 a 0.95, preferably 0.91.

7. The device according to any of the previous claims wherein the antenna is assembled parallelly to the water level once floating on the surface, inside the second section.

8. The device according to any of the previous claims further comprising a hall sensor for detecting a magnetic field.

9. The device according to the previous claim wherein the electronic data processor is configured for receiving a user input to start collecting data corresponds to placing a magnet in the vicinity of the hall sensor.

10. The device according to any of the previous claims further comprising an induction charger for charging the device wirelessly.

11. Use of the device described in any of the previous claims attached to a marine animal body via a connection, namely a self-releasable connection.

12. Method of operation of the device described in any of the previous claims comprising the steps: receiving a user input to start collecting data; collecting data from any of the sensors; sending data to a remote server; and optionally, receiving a user input to transfer data.

13. Method of operation according to the previous claim wherein the data is sent periodically or only when detecting that the device is at least partially above the surface of the water.

14. Method according to claims 15-16 wherein receiving a user input to start collecting data corresponds to placing a magnet in the vicinity of the hall sensor.

15. Method of production of the device described in any of the previous claims comprising the steps: placing a satellite positioning system inside the second section; filling the inside volume of the second section with an epoxy resin; placing the sensors and battery in the first section; filling the inside volume of the first section with an epoxy resin; covering with an opaque coating the front face of the first section.