WORLD METEOROLOGICAL ORGANIZATION …...Overall, Argos usage has declined since 2014, with a total projected PTT years of 77.82 for 2015, down 14.9% from the 2014 actual PTT consumption

WORLD METEOROLOGICAL ORGANIZATION

________________________

INTERGOVERNMENTAL OCEANOGRAPHIC

COMMISSION (OF UNESCO) ________________________

ARGOS JOINT TARIFF AGREEMENT

THIRTY FIFTH SESSION

GENEVA, SWITZERLAND

26-28 OCTOBER 2015

JTA-35/ Doc. 9 Rev. 6 (2015-10-29) _______ ITEM: 4, 11 Original: ENGLISH

2015 NATIONAL REPORTS

(Submitted by the Representatives of Country (ROCs))

SUMMARY AND PURPOSE OF DOCUMENT

This document provides the reports on Argos related national activities during the last intersessional period (2014-2015).

ACTION PROPOSED

The Meeting will be invited to comment, and particularly make decisions or recommendations, as appropriate, on the following topics:

(a) Note and comment on the information contained in this document; and

(b) Take into account the contents of the report when discussing relevant agenda items.

____________ Appendix: A. Reports from Australia, China, Germany, India, the Netherlands, New Zealand, South

Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States of America.

_______________

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JTA-35 / Doc. 9 Rev. 6 APPENDIX

ARGOS JTA NATIONAL REPORT FOR 2015

1. Australia ...................................................................................................................................... 2

2. China .......................................................................................................................................... 6

3. Germany ..................................................................................................................................... 8

4. India .......................................................................................................................................... 24

5. The Netherlands ....................................................................................................................... 25

6. New Zealand ............................................................................................................................. 27

7. South Africa .............................................................................................................................. 28

8. Sweden ..................................................................................................................................... 32

9. Switzerland ............................................................................................................................... 33

10. United Arab Emirates .............................................................................................................. 34

11. United States of America ........................................................................................................ 37

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JTA-35 / Doc. 9 Rev. 6 1. Australia

Year 2015 Country AUSTRALIA Section 1. Overall Summary In 2015, Wildlife researchers continued to dominate Argos usage for Australia, following the trend in previous years. Of the 91 programs active between January and August 2015, 71 were wildlife tracking programs. These contributed 73% of the total PTT years for Australia, up from 66% in 2014. The Sydney Institute of Marine Science, Deakin University and the Department of Parks and Wildlife were the key players in the wildlife sector with their research on seals, birds, feral species and turtles. The remaining 27% of PTT years were consumed by profiling floats, fixed platforms and buoys (& others), generating 11, 10 and 6 percent of total consumed PTT years respectively. The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation’s (CSIRO) “Argo” float program was responsible for all Profiling float usage, while the University of Western Australia was the largest “Buoy and Other” user and the Australian Antarctic Division the largest “Fixed Platform” user.

Overall, Argos usage has declined since 2014, with a total projected PTT years of 77.82 for 2015, down 14.9% from the 2014 actual PTT consumption of 91.54. This decline has occurred across all Argos families, however PTTs in the “Buoys and Other” family were responsible for much of the decline, with a 59.3% drop in activity from 2014. PTT activity in the wildlife sector saw the least decline from 2014 to 2015

Generally, Australian users report a high to very high level of satisfaction with Argos. Cost of satellite time is one of the more frequently reported issues, further compounded by recent government cuts across the science sector. Late 2014 saw over 215 million dollars of budget cuts to the two largest Argos users in Australia alone. Less frequent satellite passes in the tropics, and limited data transfer using the older Argos service are the only other reported issues. Suggestions for improvement include the development of web based hosting, allowing the animation of trajectories.

Actual usage (1 January – 31 Aug) Average active PTTs per month Total PTT.Years

Buoys and others 20.75 3.16414

Profiling floats 137.625 5.81151

Animals 283.625 37.76407

Fixed stations 9.125 5.0677

TOTAL 51.80742

PROJECTED 2015 PTT YEARS TOTAL 77.82

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JTA-35 / Doc. 9 Rev. 6

Section 2. Future Plans The percentage of Argos system use consumed by wildlife researchers continues to grow, up 7% from 2013 & 2014 and 11% from 2012. This trend is expected to continue, with 100% of the 17 new programs created in 2015 to date, belonging to the wildlife family. Many of the new programs are investigating bird movement. PTT years consumption by this ‘family’ should increase with the development of smaller bird tags allowing for studies on smaller bird species, previously untracked by Argos. Section 3. Technological Changes that affect User Requirements End users will continue to benefit from advancements in tagging technology and data management software. Section 4. User issues, problems, and level of satisfaction with Argos Australian users report a high to very high level of satisfaction with Argos (refer to appendix b). Issues include the cost of satellite time, low frequency of satellite passes in the tropics and limited data transfer through older Argos service/comms. While the newer Argos service was identified to improve data transfer, the required change in infrastructure was seen as limiting. Section 5. Successful programme use of Argos The Argos System continues to play an integral role in obtaining data critical to species conservation, habitat management and to achieving legislative compliance. Following are examples of achieved goals made possible through the Argos system: “The data being collected by seals is changing the face of ocean climate science in high latitudes”

“Argos is the central tool to our research and monitoring projects that focus on threatened, endangered and protected species. The data are used to inform the spatial management of a range of marine industries, to develop our understanding of shared critical habitat use, and to highlight the importance of conservation of iconic marine species in the Great Australian Bight and broader South-west Marine Region”

“Argos has supplied information regarding success of rehabilitated turtles that we have been unable to obtain previously. With the use of PTTs and Argos the turtles are now citizen scientists for us”

“Argos provides 'piece of mind' and, as a government organisation, assists in achieving 'compliance' to governance”

“The tracking of the rare Australian endemic Grey Falcon has revealed that the falcons roost often on the ground at night, and there they may fall prey to feral cats. This important conservation issue will form part of my PhD thesis”

73%

11%

6% 10%

WildlifeProfiling FloatsBuoys & OthersFixed Platforms

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JTA-35 / Doc. 9 Rev. 6 “Movement and survival data for marine turtles released after treatment and rehabilitation at Taronga Wildlife Hospital. Focus on habitat use and marine debris (all turtles released affected by marine debris). Maps and info from ARGOS very effective and useful for educational campaigns, conference presentations, website info, sponsorship obligations”

“There have been 2 main benefits for us 1. Ability to create displays of interest for the public 2. To provide valuable information about post release behaviour of rehabilitated turtles in the extremes of their natural range”

Section 6. Analysis of Local Operational Issues

Refer to Appendices A and B

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JTA-35 / Doc. 9 Rev. 6 Appendix A

PTT Years by Organisation. 1st Jan- 31st Aug

PTT YEARS BY AUSTRALIA (JAN-AUG) 2015 Program Number Program name PTT years Class Wildlife Profiling

Floats Buoys & Others

Fixed Platforms Organization name PTT Years

Total 2039 CSIRO PROFILING FLOAT PROGRAM 5.81151 B 5.81151

CSIRO 8.30871

1715 WHALE SHARK TRACKING 1.81989 A 1.81989 2214 TUNA AND BILLFISH MIGRATION - SUA 1315 0.62118 A 0.62118 4255 CSIRO SLOCUM GLIDER PROJECT 0.04381 C 0.04381

5914 WAMSI DUGONG PROJECT (MOVEMENTS & HABITAT USE) 0.01232 A 0.01232

366 ANTARCTIC SURFACE METEOROLOGICAL PROCESSES 3.32802 D 3.32802

AUSTRALIAN ANTARCTIC DIVISION 7.20137 13440 SS PGM 2240 FORAGING ECOLOGY OF MARINE

MAMMALS 2.3412 A 2.3412 1366 WEATHER OBSERVATION AIR TRANSPORT 1.07394 D 1.07394 1155 SEA ICE DYNAMICS 0.27054 C 0.27054 2440 APPLIED MARINE MAMMAL ECOLOGY 0.18767 A 0.18767

4135 IMOS ANTARCTIC SEALS 6.39574 A 6.39574 SYDNEY INSTITUTE OF MARINE

SCIENCE 6.39574

5106 DEAKIN UNIVERSITY - BANDED STILT RESEARCH 3.17458 A 3.17458

DEAKIN UNIVERSITY 3.47864 4826 SPATIAL ECOLOGY OF PACIFIC BLACK DUCK IN SOUTH 0.23147 A 0.23147

5315 ECOLOGY OF BASS STRAIT FUR SEALS 0.07259 A 0.07259 15377 Sub-program of program N° 5377 2.00292 A 2.00292

DEPARTMENT OF PARKS & WILDLIFE 3.0603

5740 HABITAT USE & MOVEMENT PATTERN OF LARGE FERAL 0.48964 A 0.48964

5705 FERAL CAT RESERACH - NINGALOO 0.42264 A 0.42264

5377 DEPT. OF ENVIRONMENT & CONSERVATION SEA TURTLE PRG 0.12047 A 0.12047

25377 Sub-program of program N° 5377 0.02463 A 0.02463

4246 SYDNEY BOTANIC GARDENS GREY-HEADED FLYING-FOX 1.67728 A 1.67728 BOTANIC GARDENS TRUST 2.07724

5533 SYDNEY IBIS & COCKATOOS 0.39996 A 0.39996

5538 GLADSTONE TURTLE TELEMETRY - FLATBACK TURTLE 1.25352 A 1.25352 GLADSTONE PORT CORPORATION 2.01248

5537 GLADSTONE TURTLE TELEMETRY - GREEN TURTLE 0.75896 A 0.75896

1446 MARINE TURTLE MIGRATION STUDY 1.56033 A 1.56033 DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT & HERITAGE PROTECTION 1.71993

5076 DUGONG MIGRATION PROJECT 0.1596 A 0.1596 1527 PAGE 1.6992 A 1.6992 SARDI AQUATIC SCIENCES 1.6992 3623 AUSTRALIAN FACILITY FOR OCEAN GLIDERS 0.7116 C 0.7116

UNIVERSITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA (UWA) 1.60199 5854 INVESTIGATING THE FORAGING HABITAT OF

SEABIRDS ON THE LACEPEDE ISLANDS 0.61984 A 0.61984

5275 RESILIENCE OF LITTLE PENGUINS FOLLOWING EXTREME 0.13699 A 0.13699

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JTA-35 / Doc. 9 Rev. 6 Program Number Program name PTT years Class Wildlife Profiling



Total 5502 OCEAN RESPONSE TO TROPICAL CYCLONE 0.13356 C 0.13356

5822 MONITORING NATIVE GAME BIRDS IN NSW 1.42451 A 1.42451 UNIVERSITY OF NEW ENGLAND -

ARMIDALE 1.42451

86 AUSTRALIAN AUTOMATIC WEATHER STATIONS 0.66574 D 0.66574 BUREAU OF METEOROLOGY (BOM) 1.24516 799 DEVIL XBT BOM 0.57805 C 0.57805

9085 AUSTRALIAN DRIFTING BUOYS (EX FGGE) 0.00137 C 0.00137 527 MARINE TURTLE TRACKING 0.94387 A 0.94387

JAMES COOK UNIVERSITY 1.22606 4222 POST REHABILITATION SUCCESS OF MARINE TURTLES 0.28151 A 0.28151

10527 MARINE TURTLE TRACKING (SS PGM 527) 0.00068 A 0.00068 4224 REEF CHANNEL 1.0802 A 1.0802 REEF CHANNEL 1.0802 5077 HENDRA VIRUS INFECTION DYNAMICS 0.66375 A 0.66375 BIOSECURITY QUEENSLAND - DEEDI 0.66375 5735 BAR-TAILED GODWIT LIMOSA LAPPONICA 0.62316 A 0.62316 FRIENDS OF SHOREBIRDS SE 0.62316

5240 IMPACT OF GHOST NETS ON TURTLE POPULATION IN THE ATS 0.62061 A 0.62061 NAMRA - CDU 0.62061

5856 2015-04 0.44455 A 0.44455 UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY 0.54181 5747 IMOS AUV FACILITY 0.09726 C 0.09726 3849 WAVERIDER BUOY AT PORT HEDLAND 0.49588 C 0.49588 PORT HEDLAND PORT AUTHORITY 0.49588 5598 SUNSHINE COAST FLYING FOX TRACKING 0.48212 A 0.48212 SUNSHINE COAST COUNCIL 0.48212 2236 GREEN TURTLES MIGRATION - SUA 1330 0.47126 A 0.47126 PENDOLEY ENVIRONMENTAL PTY LTD 0.47126

5774 AIMS-MOORING TRACKERS 0.44928 C 0.44928 AUSTRALIAN MARINE SCIENCE (AIMS)-

TOWNSVILLE 0.44928

5692 FERAL PIG SATELLITE TRACKING 0.2397 A 0.2397 PARKS VICTORIA 0.38351

5593 ORBOST DISTRICT INTERAGENCY FERAL PIG MANAGEMENT 0.14381 A 0.14381

5570 GREY FALCONS 0.36576 A 0.36576 SCHOENJAHN 0.36576 4008 TRACKING ESTUARINE CROCODILES 0.36021 A 0.36021 UNIVERSITY OF QUEENSLAND 0.36089 4115 PROJECT MANTA (MEMMS) 0.00068 A 0.00068

5482 MOVEMENTS OF LITTLE CURLEW (NUMENIUS MINUTUS) 0.35683 A 0.35683

AUSTRALASIAN WADER STUDIES GROUP 0.35683

5204 MOVEMENTS & ECOLOGY OF DOLPHINFISH 0.31645 A 0.31645 UNSW (UNIVERSITY OF NEW SOUTH

WALES)-RANDWICK 0.31645

11345 KTSLA BLUE SHARK SUB PGM 0.16709 A 0.16709 SEA LIFE 0.25476 5345 SEA LIFE AUS/NZ 0.08767 A 0.08767

5313 WEDGE-TAILED EAGLE SATELLITE TELEMETRY PROJECT 0.24453 A 0.24453 INSIGHT ORNITHOLOGY 0.24453

3492 WHALE SHARK MONITORING - PHILIPPINES 0.20542 A 0.20542 ECOCEAN INC. 0.20542 5837 MOVEMENTS OF AUSTRALASIAN BITTERN 0.1931 A 0.1931 MURRAY WILDLIFE PTY LTD 0.1931

5391 LANDSCAPE HABITAT USE OF REGENT PARROTS 0.18493 A 0.18493 DEWNR SOUTH AUSTRALIAN

GOVERNEMENT 0.18493

3849 PILBARA PORTS WAVE RIDER BUOYS 0.17054 C 0.17054 PILBARA PORT AUTHORITY 0.17054

4108 CONNECTIVITY OF LARGE SHARK SPECIES IN THE SOUTH 0.16507 A 0.16507 GRIFFITH UNIVERSITY 0.16507

5721 KAKADU NP FIELD ISLAND FLATBACK TURTLE MONITORING 0.16234 A 0.16234 KAKADU NATIONAL PARK 0.16234

5209 MARINE HOTSPOTS 0.15959 A 0.15959 MACQUARIE UNIVERSITY 0.15959 5258 BLACK COCKATOO HEALTH, DEMOGRAPHICS & 0.15203 A 0.15203 MURDOCH UNIVERSITY 0.15816

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JTA-35 / Doc. 9 Rev. 6 Program Number Program name PTT years Class Wildlife Profiling



Total ECOLOGY

5731 NUSA PENIDA OCEAN SUNFISH TRACKING 0.00613 A 0.00613 5669 SATELLITE TRACKING OF MARINE TURTLES 0.15271 A 0.15271 TARONGA WILDLIFE HOSPITAL 0.15271 5675 SOUTHERN SHARK ECOLOGY GROUP (SSEG) 0.1219 A 0.1219 FLINDERS UNIVERSITY 0.1219 3874 MOVEMENTS OF BROLGA (GRUS RUBICUNDA) 0.12055 A 0.12055 UNIVERSITY OF BALLARAT 0.12055 3603 NSW DPI WILD DOG MOVEMENT PROJECT 0.11011 A 0.11011 NSW DEPARTMENT OF PRIMARY

INDUSTRIES 0.12038 4890 FISHERIES NSW SHARK TRACKING 0.01027 A 0.01027 5152 FISH TAGGING PROGRAM 0.07874 A 0.07874 TASMANIA UNIVERSITY 0.11502 5328 UTAS SHARK PAT PROGRAM 0.03628 A 0.03628 3961 DRIFTING BUOY PROGRAM COASTAL SCIENCES 0.08557 C 0.08557 COASTAL UNIT 0.08557

5720 MOVEMENTS OF JUVENILE BLACK MARLIN OFF EASTERN 0.08355 A 0.08355

PEPPERELL RESEARCH & CONSULTING PTY. LTD. 0.08355

5090 SUPPORTING SEA TURTLE SURVIVAL AT QUEENS BEACH- 0.0774 A 0.0774

QUEENS BEACH ACTION GROUP – BOWEN 0.0774

5776 MH370 SEARCH GEOPHYSICAL SURVEY 0.05889 C 0.05889 FUGRO SURVEY PTY LTD 0.05889

5836 CATS BBC WILDLIFE DOCU 0.05616 A 0.05616 CUSTOMIZED ANIMAL TRACKING

SOLUTIONS AUSTRALIA 0.05616

3306 SLOCUM GLIDER TIMOR SEA AND LEEUWIN CURRENT 0.04588 C 0.04588

AUSTRALIA GLOBAL OCEAN OBSERVATION SYSTEM 0.04588

4226 MOVEMENT OF PINK-EARED DUCKS 0.03835 A 0.03835 VICTORIA UNIVERSITY (AUS) 0.03835

3148 NT CROCODILE TRACKING 0.03629 A 0.03629 WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT

INTERNATIONAL 0.03629

3117 FORAGING DISTRIBUTION & ECOLOGY OF ABBOTT'S BOOBY 0.03561 A 0.03561 HAMBURG UNIVERSITY 0.03561

5789 LITTLE EAGLE PROJECT 0.02396 A 0.02396 UNIVERSITY OF CANBERRA 0.02396

5896 DETERMINING HABITAT CRITICAL TO THE SURVIVAL OF RED 0.02259 A 0.02259 ECOTONE ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES 0.02259

5778 SEA TURTLE STUDIES 0.02189 A 0.02189 STRYDOM 0.02189

2971 SAZ SEDIMENT TRAPS 0.01644 C 0.01644 ANTARCTIC CLIMATE & ECOSYSTEM

COOPERATIVE RESEARCH 0.01644

5692 FERAL PIG SATELLITE TRACKING 0.00411 A 0.00411 DEPT. OF ENVIRONMENT & PRIMARY

INDUSTRIES 0.00411

5727 BLUE OCEAN MONITORING 0.0041 C 0.0041 BLUE OCEAN MONITORING 0.0041

5880 CHITTERING VALLEY PIG TRACKING 0.00205 A 0.00205 ELLEN BROCKMAN INTEGRATED

CATCHMENT GROUP 0.00205

3424 UNDERSEA DISTRIBUTED NETWORKED ACOUSTIC SYSTEMS 0.00137 C 0.00137

DEFENCE SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY ORGANISATION 0.00137

3622 LITTLE PENGUIN ECOLOGY 0.00137 A 0.00137 PHILIP ISLAND NATURE PARK 0.00137 TOTALS 51.80742

37.76407 5.81151 3.16414 5.0677

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Appendix B

JTA 33 User Survey Responses

Program Details

Satisfaction with Argos 1-5 (1 =

Very Unsatisfied,

5 = Very Satisfied)

Problems and Issues

Successful Argos Use

Integrated Marine Observing System (IMOS), Southern Ocean Oceanographic profiling and seal tracking

5

No issues. The data being collected by seals is changing the face of ocean climate science in high latitudes e.g.https://imos.aodn.org.au/imos123/ and http://www.meop.net/

SARDI Aquatic Sciences Animal tracking (sharks, seals and seabirds)

5

Argos is the central tool to our research and monitoring projects that focus on threatened, endangered and protected species. The data are used to inform the spatial management of a range of marine industries, to develop our understanding of shared critical habitat use, and to highlight the importance of conservation of iconic marine species in the Great Australian Bight and broader South-west Marine Region.

Taronga Wildlife Hospital, marine turtle tracking

5

No issues Movement and survival data for marine turtles released after treatment and rehabilitation at Taronga Wildlife Hospital. Focus on habitat use and marine debris (all turtles released affected by marine debris). Maps and info from ARGOS very effective and useful for educational campaigns, conference presentations, website info, sponsorship obligations.

Merlin Entertainments Group SEA LIFE Aquariums ANZ Kelly Tarltons SEA LIFE Aquarium SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium Manly SEA LIFE Sanctuary SEA LIFE Underwater World Mooloolaba

5

No real issues data is great Other ideas would be to host a tracking website so that the tag tracks were animated, would be great exposure at public aquariums, note SEA LIFE aquariums host more than 20 million guests per year

There have been 2 main benefits for us 1. Ability to create displays of interest for the public 2. To provide valuable information about post release behaviour of rehabilitated turtles in the extremes of their natural range

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Pilbara Ports Authority Retrieval of wave rider buoys if they come adrift.

4

No issues.

Argos provides 'piece of mind' and, as a government organisation, assists in achieving 'compliance' to governance. Recent assistance by the Australian Team to update our Argos access and expand our equipment has been appreciated.

Qld Department of Environment and Heritage Protection Marine and freshwater turtle tracking dugong tracking

5

We have nesting data on a loggerhead turtle spanning 37 years we decided gain some extra info for her last summer by deploying a GPS sat tag with her for her 20th nesting season. This is the longest studied marine turtle.

marine turtle tracking 4

Satellite passes in the tropics classes are so ambiguous

Argos has supplied information regarding success of rehabilitated turtles that we have been unable to obtain previously. With the use of PTTs and Argos the turtles are now citizen scientists for us.

data transfers from Argo floats drifting in the world's oceans

5 Argos is a very reliable communication tool for our Argo floats. The only limitation is the amount of data that can be sent using the older argos service and the lack of 2-way comms. We could use the newer Argos 2-way service but have all of the infrastructure set up for iridium comms and so would be unlikely to change at this point.

Jonny Schoenjahn, private researcher Tracking of bird species (Grey Falcon, a threatened species)

5

No Problems The tracking of the rare Australian endemic Grey Falcon has revealed that the falcons roost often on the ground at night, and there they may fall prey to feral cats. This important conservation issue will form part of my PhD thesis.

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2. China

Year 2015 Country China

Section 1. Overall Summary During Aug. 2014 and Jul. 2015, there are 23 institutes/organizations operating 27programs using Argos to transmit data in China. The total of average active PTTS per month is 250.42, increased 19% compared to the previous year. Profiling floats and drifters account for 76.5% and 9.3% respectively, which indicate the physical oceanography community still dominates the Argos usage in China. Ocean related agencies and universities such as National Ocean Technology Center, East China Sea Branch and North China Sea Branch of the State Oceanic Administration (SOA) of China, First, Second, and Third Institute of Oceanography of SOA, China Meteorological Administration, Ocean University of China, South China Sea Oceanology Institute (SCSIO) carried out massive ocean observing using Argo floats and drifters with the aid of Argos system. Animal related organizations/institutes such as Chinese Academy of Forestry, Chinese Academy of Science, Tsinghua University, Beijing Zoo, East China Sea Fish Research Institute conducted fruitful research on wildlife behavior by using satellite trackers.

Average active PTTs per month Total PTT.Years Buoys and others 22.69 15.44 Profiling floats 191.5 13.36 Animals 32.9 5.1 Fixed stations 3.33 2.95 TOTAL 250.42 36.85

Table 1: user type by family (2014.08-2015.07) Section 2. Future Plans China Argo Real-time Data Center (The Second Institute of Oceanography, SOA) operates about 172 active Argo floats using Argos, which has obtained 5615 profiles of Temperature-Salinity information during last year. The Institute plans to deploy about 30 Argo floats each year in the next few years. More than 180 active floats are expected to use Argos system transmitting data after 2016. Liaoning Ocean and fisheries Science Research Institute plans to continue the animals tracking studies, and add the sensors of temperature and depth. Section 3. Technological Changes that affect User Requirements As the Argo Plan has been more widely applied in areas of biology, geography and chemistry, more and more sensors are loaded in buoys, thus raised higher requirements on satellite communication technology. Satellite communication technology with the characteristics of two-way communication, high transmission rate is more favored by Argo users. Currently, Iridium satellites are broadly used, while the application of Argos-3 on Argo floats is still in the experimental stage. Nevertheless, it is hoped that Argos-3 could be more widely used in the future. Section 4. User issues, problems, and level of satisfaction with Argos

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China Argo Data Center National Marine Data and Information Service (NMDIS) and Second Institute of Oceanography, SOA both have good cooperation with CLS for many years. The China Argo data is on GTS with the help of CLS. The effort of CLS is very much appreciated. Liaoning Ocean and fisheries Science Research Institute At present, the number of organizations/institutes which use Argo system for wildlife research in China is still small. It is wished that more opportunities for mutual communication could be provided or more cooperation platforms be established. East China Sea Forecasting Center, SOA The purchase procedure from abroad is complex and time-consuming. It is hoped that the payment procedures could be simplified. For example, it is recommended that CLS could adjust the invoicing period according to the credit of the users. It would be much more convenient to the pay the bill every six or twelve months instead of two months. North China Sea Forecasting Center, SOA In order to avoid long time delay caused by on field operation (no internet access), it is suggested to further extend the free data availability provide through the Argos website. Section 5. Successful programme use of Argos

From August 2014 to July 2015, the North Sea Forecast Center has carried out the experiments on oil drift and green seaweed drift using Argos satellite communication modules. Six surface drift buoys are deployed in the near shore of Qingdao, Yellow Sea. From the tracks of buoys (Figure.1), the simulating results of oil and seaweed track are validated.

Figure 1: The tracks of surface drifter buoys near Rushan island of Shandong Province

In 2014, Key projects of the National Specialized Project of Science and Technology-”The Argo real-time survey in Western Pacific” deployed 10 floats in the ocean. The project, which was leaded by the China Argo program chief scientist Dr. Xu Jianping who works at China Argo Real-time Data Center (Second Institute of Oceanography, SOA), was funded in 2012 for a period of 5 years. It plans to set 35 Argo profile floats in the Western Pacific, to maintain the China Argo network. During the past year, 54 Argo floats using Argos transmission have been deployed in the Pacific Ocean and Indian Ocean. They are funded by different national scientific institutions as the “China Argo equivalent” projects, and all the measurements observed are processed and distributed freely by China Argo Real-time Data Center.

_______________

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3. Germany

Year 2015

Country Germany Section 1. Overall Summary 1. Water masses in the Nordic Seas Detlef Quadfasel, [email protected] Hamburg University, Zentrum für Meeres- und Klimaforschung, Institut für Meereskunde, Bundesstr. 53, 20146 Hamburg, Germany ARGOS Programme Number 592 The aim of the program is to monitor the water masses in the different basins of the Nordic Seas with the data from profiling floats (Greenland Sea, Norwegian Sea, Iceland Sea, Lofoten Basin). Since 2001 floats were deployed in the Greenland Sea, since 2004 also in the Norwegian Sea and Lofoten Basin and since 2005 in the Iceland Sea. Changes in the water mass transformation processes and therefore also in the water mass characteristics are examined in the context of climate change. The floats are part of the international ARGO programme. No more floats have been deployed in the report period and only a few of the project floats are still active. More information is available at http://www.ifm.zmaw.de/forschung/regionale/projekte/mersea/ Deployment of a float during heavy weather at the Lofoten Basin in 2012 from RV Poseidon 2. GEOMAR: Mooring ARGOS beacon Johannes Karstensen, [email protected] Helmholtz-Zentrum für Ozeanforschung Kiel, GEOMAR, Düsternbrooker Weg 20, 24105 Kiel, Germany Argos Programme number 783 The aim of the project is to monitor subsurface moorings that get accidentally released and are at drift by using ARGOS beacons. The beacons are equipped with a pressure or conductivity sensitive switch which activates them when at the sea surface: The present and envisioned activities cover all ice free areas of the global ocean, from the shelves to the deep basins, but with a focus on the Atlantic. 3. Norwave Kai Herklotz, [email protected] Bundesamt für Seeschifffahrt und Hydrographie, Bernhard-Nocht-Str. 78, 20359 Hamburg,

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mailto:[email protected]




Germany ARGOS Programme Number 948 The Norwave measurements take place at fixed monitoring stations in the North Sea and Baltic Sea (see Marnet programme). Waverider buoys are measuring sea state conditions, one of these is transmitting data through the ARGOS satellite system. Watchdog services are used for the other buoys. More information is available at http://www.bsh.de/de/Meeresdaten/Beobachtungen/Seegang/index.jsp

Waveriderboje used at the Helogland station. 4. Bird migration in Africa and Eurasia - a pilot study Martin Wikelski, [email protected] Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, Migration and Immuno-ecology (Vogelwarte Radolfzell), Am Obstberg 1, 78315 Radolfzell, GermanyARGOS Programme Number 983 5. Migration of raptors Bernd Meyburg, [email protected] World working group on birds of prey and owls (Berlin), Wangenheimstr. 32, D-14193 BERLIN, Germany. ARGOS Programme Number 1126 The W.W.G.B.P. has been active for thirty years now and today plays an important role in the promotion of raptor conservation and research on an international level. Its membership list today comprises over 3,000 raptor specialists and enthusiasts in all parts of the world, and anybody with an interest in raptors is welcome to become a member. The W.W:G.B.O tracks birds of prey world-wide since 1992. Theses raptors are belonging to 14 species. Resulting publications are available as PDF files: www.raptor-research.de". More information is available at http://www.raptors-international.de/index.htm

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http://www.bsh.de/de/Meeresdaten/Beobachtungen/Seegang/index.jsp



http://www.raptor-research.de/


http://www.raptors-international.de/index.htm


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6. Migratory behaviour of Antarctic seals Horst Bornemann [email protected] Alfred Wegener Institut, Helmholtz Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung, P.O.Box 120161, 27515 Bremerhaven, Germany ARGOS Programme Number 1535 The Marine Mammal Tracking (MMT) project of AWI and its collaborating partners, in particular the MRI (University of Pretoria, South Africa), and the IAA (Buenos Aires, Argentina), concentrates on the Southern Ocean. The project involves assessment of the at-sea movements of southern elephant seal males (Mirounga leonina, instrumented at Carlini Station, King George Island / Isla 25 de Mayo) and of Weddell seals (Leptonychotes weddellii, instrumented within southern Weddell Sea) using CTD combined-Satellite Relay Dive Loggers (CTD-SRDLs, Sea Mammal Research Unit, Cambridge, UK). MMT aims to describe (1) the seals’ at-sea movements (2) the physical environments passed by the seals during their foraging migrations at sea, and (3) their behavioral responses to the oceanographic features they experience with (4) special emphasis on the region of the Filchner Trough Outflow System (FOS) around 79°S 36°W, and the Drescher Inlet (DI) at 72°52’S 20°W. FOS and DI have been in the focus of the expedition PS82 of the AWI’s RV Polarstern, the expedition SAF of AWI’s research aircraft Polar 6, both scheduled in synchrony with the aforementioned work at the IAA’s research station Dr. Alejandro Carlini during 2013/14. More information is available at: http://www.wdc-mare.org/projects/mmt.html and http://epic.awi.de/36461/

Tagged southern elephant seal

7. GEOMAR: gliders Gerd Krahmann, [email protected] Helmholtz-Zentrum für Ozeanforschung Kiel, GEOMAR, Düsternbrooker Weg 20, 24105 Kiel, Germany ARGOS Programme Number 1783 The gliders are equipped with Argos beacons to be located in case other navigational and communication devices fail. There are 10-14 Gliders to be used in all parts of the Ocean. More information is available at http://gliderweb.geomar.de/ Glider deployment with Rubber Boat – the usual procedure

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http://www.wdc-mare.org/projects/mmt.html

http://epic.awi.de/36461/



8. Tracking Penguins at sea Klemens Pütz, [email protected] Antarctic Research Trust, Am Oste-Hamme-Kanal 10, 27432 Bremervörde, Germany ARGOS Program Number 1857 In this project the foraging behavior of penguins and other seabirds in the Southern Ocean has been investigated on a seasonal and inter-annual scale between 1998 and 2011 in order to identify their foraging areas, migration corridors and wintering sites. In 2015, the project re-commenced with a study of the foraging activities of King Penguins from Tierra del Fuego, Chile. In February 2016, a comprehensive study on the winter dispersal of juvenile and adult Southern Rockhopper penguins at several breeding sites in southern South America will follow. More information is available at http://www.antarctic-research.de. 9. German-Argo/BSH Birgit Klein, [email protected] Bundesamt für Seeschifffahrt und Hydrographie, Bernhard-Nocht-Str. 78, 20359 Hamburg, Germany ARGOS Programme Number 1895 The aim of the program is to contribute to the international Argo programme with about 50 floats per year. Presently 107 BSH floats are transmitting data, most of them (93) use the ARGOS system, while the rest (14) uses Iridium . The BSH is using Argo data to monitor water mass changes in the North Atlantic since they are changing inflow conditions for waters entering the North Sea. Main deployment areas will be the Atlantic and source regions in which deep water formation occurs in the polar areas. More information is available at http://www.german-argo.de. Deployment of a float of an APEX float in the Atlantic from RV Knorr

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http://www.german-argo.de/


10. Marnet, BSH Kai Herklotz, [email protected] Bundesamt für Seeschifffahrt und Hydrographie, Bernhard-Nocht-Str. 78, 20359 Hamburg, Germany ARGOS Programme Number 2120 The Marnet program consists of 11 fixed monitoring stations in the North Sea and Baltic Sea which measure oceanic parameters as temperature, salinity, oxygen and currents in the water column. 7 Waverider buoys are measuring sea state conditions, one of these is transmitting data through the ARGOS satellite system. Watchdog services are used for the other buoys. More information is available at http://www.bsh.de/de/Meeresdaten/Beobachtungen/MARNET-Messnetz/index.jsp. Measurement station Fino1 (Position 54°01' N, 06°35' E) is part of the MARNET station network in the North Sea and Baltic 11. GEOMAR moored data buoys Gerd Krahmann, [email protected] Helmholtz-Zentrum für Ozeanforschung Kiel, GEOMAR, Düsternbrooker Weg 20, 24105 Kiel, Germany ARGOS Programme Number 2736 The programme uses surface buoys to transmit data. 12. Iffezheimer Störche auf Reisen Herbert König, [email protected] Initiativgruppe Naturschutz, Severin-Schäfer-Str. 3, 76473 Iffezheim ARGOS Programme Number 3100 The conservation initiative Iffezheim has ringed a storch in 2006 which hatched in Iffezheim. The Argos transmitter is used to study the migrationary behaviour of this bird. More information is available at http://www.iniffezheim.de/

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http://www.bsh.de/de/Meeresdaten/Beobachtungen/MARNET-Messnetz/index.jsp



http://www.iniffezheim.de/


13. European Whitefronted Geese ResearchProject, European whitefronted goose (Blessgans) Helmut Kruckenberg, [email protected] Europäisches Blessgans Forschungsprogramm, Am Steigbügel 3, D-27283 Verden (Aller), Germany ARGOS Programme Number 3189 Only three Lesser white-fronted geese are tracked with Argos tags at the moment. The tracking of the European whitefronted geese is now using GPRS beacons which allow advanced data collection and which are less expensive. Trransmittered bird (Geert) with its mate (c) K. Veldkamp 14. ESA precursor, Tracking of individual birds Klaus-Michael Exo, [email protected] Institut für Vogelforschung, "Vogelwarte Helgoland", An der Vogelwarte 21, 26386 Wilhelmshaven, Germany ARGOS Programme Number 3490 The project is carried out in the context of the ESA FlySafe activities. It analyses the technical prospects and limits in using satellite based bird tracking and monitors small scale and large scale movements. The work includes analyses of medium- and long-range bird migration behavior as well as smale scale feeding flights (study species: Herring Gull Larus argentatus, Lesser blackbacked Gull Larus fuscus, Barnacle Geese Branta leucopsis). A report is available at http://www.ifv-vogelwarte.de//downloads/96/esa_report_sovon_cover_2008-10.pdf

Figure 5.1 (ESA report): Colour marked Herring Gull (M.AFH) carrying a GPS PTT on the beach of Texel, Netherlands, on 24-10-2007. Photograph by Pieter Veeling

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http://www.ifv-vogelwarte.de/downloads/96/esa_report_sovon_cover_2008-10.pdf


15. Cosyna Prof. Dr. Burkard Baschek, [email protected], Dr. Holger Brix, [email protected] Helmholtz Zentrum Geesthacht Max-Planck-Straße 1 21502 Geesthacht Germany ARGOS Programme Number 3932 COSYNA is a unique system that offers a new level of marine monitoring methods. COSYNA is a pre-operational system – in contrast to an experimental system. Its main characteristic is the integrated approach combining observations and numerical modelling in order to reliably deliver quality-controlled data as well as model predictions. It is used to answer scientific questions and to help inform political decision makers.

More information is available at: http://www.hzg.de/institutes_platforms/cosyna/research_topics/index.php.en 16. Hobby falcon Bernd Meyburg, [email protected] World working group on birds of prey and owls, Wangenheimstr. 32, D-14193 BERLIN, Germany. ARGOS Programme Number 4126 (sub-PGM of PGM 1126) The W.W.G.B.P. has been active for thirty years now and today plays an important role in the promotion of raptor conservation and research on an international level. Its membership list today comprises over 3,000 raptor specialists and enthusiasts in all parts of the world, and anybody with an interest in raptors is welcome to become a member. The W.W:G.B.O tracks birds of prey world-wide since 1992. Theses raptors are belonging to 14 species. Resulting publications are available as PDF files: www.raptor-research.de". More information is available at http://www.raptors-international.de/index.htm

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17. Studies to understand the decline in migratory waterbirds using the German Wadden Sea Klaus-Michael Exo, [email protected] Institut für Vogelforschung, "Vogelwarte Helgoland", An der Vogelwarte 21, 26386 Wilhelmshaven, Germany ARGOS Programme Number 4852 About 40% of the birds using the Lower Saxon Wadden Sea during migration declined during the last decades. The main aim of the project is to analyze (ecological) factors that may cause the decline, therefore migration routes and connectivity between the Wadden Sea and Arctic breeding grounds as well as African wintering areas will be analyzed for a few selected species, the Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola and the Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica, using satellite transmitters as well as geolocators.

Spring and autumn migration routes of a Grey Plover marked April, 4, 2011 with a 5 g PTT (from Exo et al. 2012, Jber. Institut für Vogelforschung 10: 10-12). 18. CV Turtle Tracking Bjoern Fiedler, [email protected], Victor Stiebens [email protected] Helmholtz-Zentrum für Ozeanforschung Kiel, GEOMAR, Düsternbrooker Weg 20, 24105 Kiel, Germany ARGOS Programme Number 4810 The department of marine ecology studies the endangered Loggerhead Sea Turtle, which boosts the third largest nesting aggregation at the islands of Cape Verde. During 2011, 2012 and 2013 a couple of turtles have been tagged with satellite transmitters equipped with CTD sensors (Conductivity, Temperature and Depth) and oxygen optodes to get a grip on the habitat turtles live in. However such devices can only be mounted on adult and subadults. The program has been continued in 2014 with tags on 6 turtles, 3 males (Fra, Zé und Mingo) and three females (Bemvinda, Kika, Kamoka). In 2015 only one tag was active.

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The project has benefited from the addition of numerous amazing volunteers from Turtle Foundation, the Maio Biodiversity Foundation, Projecto Vitó and the Instituto Nacional de Desenvolvimento das Pescas (INDP). The work is supervised by Dr. Christophe Eizaguirre (Evolutionary Biologist-GEOMAR, [email protected]).

Tagged and post-nesting migration tracks for six female loggerhead turtles. Photo source Geomar. More information is available at http://turtle-project.geomar.de/ 19. WTD 71 Gilder Fleet [email protected] Wehrtechnische Dienststelle für Schiffe und Marinewaffen, Maritime Technologie und Forschung, Berliner Str. 115, 24340 Eckernförde, Germany ARGOS Programme Number 4944 In 2014, WTD71 deployed one glider in the Mediterranean Sea west of Sardinia as part of the REP14-MED (Recognized Environmental Picture in the Mediterranean 2014) experiment. The aim of the experiment was to improve regional oceanic forecasts and observation strategies to obtain a fast and reliable picture of the marine environment. Part of the experiment was the use of a fleet of gliders from several nations. The ARGOS communication onboard the glider was used as a backup system for locating the glider in case of failure of regular communication/positioning devices. Track of WTD71 glider west of Sardinia in June 2014

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http://turtle-project.geomar.de/


20. Satellite Tracking of Cuckoos Dr. Andreas von Lindeiner [email protected], Friederike Herzog [email protected] Landesbund für Vogelschutz in Bayern e.V. , Eisvogelweg 1, 91161 Hilpoltstein, Germany ARGOS Programme Number 5362 The aim of the project is to identify the migration routes, stop-over sites and wintering locations of German and Belorussian cuckoos. The knowledge that the study will provide, should be used for conservation measures for the endangered species. At the moment there are 7 active PTTs in the project, four from Bavarian birds and three from Belorussion cuckoos. More information about the project is available at www.lbv.de/kuckuck. Left: cuckoo with satellite tag from the LBV project (© LBV). Right: the 7 individual cuckoos tracked in 2015. 21. The migratory behaviour of upland and ruddy-headed geese from southern South America. Klemens Pütz, klemens.puetz@ewetel-net Antarctic Research Trust, Am Oste-Hamme-Kanal 10, 27432 Bremervörde, Germany ARGOS Program Number 5526 The migratory sheldgeese (Ruddy-headed, Ashy-headed and Upland Goose) are endemic species of southern South America. All three species have been historically considered an agricultural pest by local ranchers. Although little data exist on sheldgeese ecology, hunting of these species has been encouraged across their entire range and allowed without restriction in terms of number of birds killed. Consequently, the Ruddy-headed Goose is already endangered, whilst the other two species are rapidly approaching this status. The main goal of this project is to gather essential knowledge about the migratory patterns of the three sheldgeese species and ultimately identify important areas for their conservation throughout the annual cycle. Furthermore, interactions with human activities will be evaluated in order to apply effective conservation measures. 22. Enhancing prediction of tropical Atlantic climate Heino Fock, [email protected] Johann Heinrich von Thünen Institute, Federal Research Institute for Rural Areas, Forestry and Fisheries Palmaille 9, 22767 Hamburg Germany Argos Programme 5658 „Diving behavior of Yellowfin tuna and Bigeye tuna are investigated around Cape Verde Islands to resolve vertical and horizontal habitat utilization.”

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http://www.lbv.de/kuckuck



23. Development of a conservation plan for Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus in the Wadden Sea National Park of Lower Saxony Nadine Knipping, [email protected] Landscape Ecology Group, Institute of Biology and Environmental Sciences Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg D - 26111 Oldenburg Argos Programme 5685 Identification of roosting and wintering sites of Wadden Sea breeding Hen Harrier using Satellite telemetry: The Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus is one of the most endangered breeding bird species in Germany and by now highly restricted to the Wadden Sea islands within the Wadden Sea National Park of Lower Saxony. However, the Wadden Sea population size has declined significantly during the last 10 years. The reasons for this are largely unknown. In the light of the negative population trend and the high national conservation responsibility of breeding Hen Harriers in Germany, it is of essential importance to achieve a detailed ecological knowledge of the Wadden Sea breeding population in Lower Saxony. Beside already existing conservation activities continuative studies within the breeding area are carried out. Furthermore, stop-over and wintering sites of Wadden Sea Hen Harriers but also local habitat and survival conditions are largely unknown. A main research topic will be the localization of wintering areas of Wadden Sea Hen Harriers within and outside the Wadden Sea area using the ARGOS Satellite tracking System. For more information: http://www.uni-oldenburg.de/landeco http://www.nationalpark-wattenmeer.de/nds/nationalpark/naturschutz/kornweihen-schutzkonzept 24. Satellite tracking of juvenile grey seals (Halichoerus grypus) in the German North Sea Verena Peschko, [email protected] Forschungs- und Technologiezentrum Westküste (FTZ), Universität Kiel Hafentörn 1, 25761 Büsum, Germany ARGOS Programme Number 5757 The project studies the area use and behaviour of juvenile grey seals in the German North Sea. Wild and rehabilitated juvenile grey seals were equipped with Argos satellite tags to monitor and compare their behaviour after release in the North Sea. Through the comparison of both groups it will be analysed if rehabilitated juvenile grey seals integrate in the wild population and behave normally after being released from the rehabilitation centres. 25. Diver telemetry in the German Bight Petra Quillfeldt, [email protected]; BioConsult (Georg Nehls, [email protected]) Justus-Liebig-Universität AG Verhaltensökologie und Ökophysiologie der Tiere Heinrich-Buff-Ring 38 D-35392 Giessen Germany ARGOS Programme Number 5818 Divers are a group of piscivorous aquatic birds which breed on lakes in the tundra and taiga zones of the Holarctic region. Their ecology is water-bound. Divers are excellent swimmers and dive to ten meters and more when feeding but are poorly adapted to move on land. In the German Bight the two diver species Black- and Red-throated Divers occur in large numbers during wintering. Offshore windfarm development is increasing in this area which can lead to conflicts as divers are very sensitive to anthropogenic disturbance. Within this study we are catching divers in the German Bight and implant satellite transmitters aiming to understand movement patterns of these birds during the wintering season and during their migration. Further the interactions between divers and offshore windfarms are studied as well. Habitat use, connectivity of resting areas, locations of origin plus migration patterns can be determined by analyzing the tracking data. More information is found at: http://www.divertracking.com/

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Sterntaucher (Gavia stellata); Photo: Jürgen Steudtner 26. Sediment trap positioning Hannes Wagner, [email protected] GEOMAR Helmholtz-Zentrum für Ozeanforschung Kiel Düsternbrooker Weg 20 24148 Kiel Germany ARGOS Programme Number 5905 27. Argo Floats Lothar Stramma, [email protected] Helmholtz-Zentrum für Ozeanforschung Kiel, GEOMAR, Düsternbrooker Weg 20, 24105 Kiel, Germany ARGOS Programme Number 8165 Floats tracks at 400 m and 1000 m depth on the climatological annual mean oxygen distribution at 400 m depth of floats deployed in 2011 (left panel, 2 of 8 still active) and 2014 (right panel). In 2014 seven floats were deployed in the eastern tropical South Pacific to continue the study of the circulation and water mass anomalies. Most of the floats were placed in eddies to investigate water mass and oxygen changes within the eddy during its westward propagation along the boundary of the oxygen minimum zone. The data transmission of the floats deployed in 2014 is made now via Iridium. The floats are equipped with oxygen sensors and were provided by the SFB-754. More information is available at http://www.sfb754.de. 28. Subsurface mooring monitoring Gerd Rohardt, [email protected] Alfred Wegener Institut, Helmholtz Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung, P.O.Box 120161, 27515 Bremerhaven, Germany ARGOS Programme Number 8919 (sub-program 919) The aim of the project is to monitor moorings with Argos watchdogs. About 50 watchdogs have been pooled in this programme.

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http://www.sfb754.de/



29. Norwave Kai Herklotz, [email protected] Bundesamt für Seeschifffahrt und Hydrographie, Bernhard-Nocht-Str. 78, 20359 Hamburg, Germany ARGOS Programme Number 9948 (see 948) The Norwave measurements take place at fixed monitoring stations in the North Sea and Baltic Sea (see Marnet programme). Waverider buoys are measuring sea state conditions, one of these is transmitting data through the ARGOS satellite system. Watchdog services are used for the other buoys. More information is available at http://www.bsh.de/de/Meeresdaten/Beobachtungen/Seegang/index.jsp 30. Argo sub-surface Olaf Boebel, [email protected] Alfred Wegener Institut, Helmholtz Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung, P.O.Box 120161, 27515 Bremerhaven, Germany ARGOS Programme Number 10919 (Sub-program of program 919) The project studies variability and long-term changes in warm deep water in the Weddell Gyre. It also monitors convection events. The floats are equipped with special ice sensing technology to withstand the ice season during winter. The floats are part of the international ARGO programme. A total of 1 remaining floats with ARGOS communication is registered in the programme. Due to winterly surface ice coverage the transmission of the floats are switching to Iridium, due to shorter surface transmission times. More information is available at http://www.awi.de/en/research/research_divisions/climate_science/observational_oceanography/projects/weccon/

A NEMO floats in the polar ocean. 31. Red Kite Bernd Meyburg, [email protected] World working group on birds of prey and owls, Wangenheimstr. 32, D-14193 BERLIN, Germany. ARGOS Programme Number 11126 (Sub-program of PGM 1126) The W.W.G.B.P. has been active for thirty years now and today plays an important role in the promotion of raptor conservation and research on an international level. Its membership list today comprises over 3,000 raptor specialists and enthusiasts in all parts of the world, and anybody with an interest in raptors is welcome to become a member. The W.W:G.B.O tracks birds of prey world-wide since 1992. Theses raptors are belonging to 14 species. Resulting publications are available as PDF files: www.raptor-research.de". More information is available at http://www.raptors-international.de/index.htm

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http://www.bsh.de/de/Meeresdaten/Beobachtungen/Seegang/index.jsp


http://www.awi.de/en/research/research_divisions/climate_science/observational_oceanography/projects/weccon/

http://www.awi.de/en/research/research_divisions/climate_science/observational_oceanography/projects/weccon/






32. Seismic ice flow drifter Gerd Rohard, [email protected] Alfred Wegener Institut, Helmholtz Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung, P.O.Box 120161, 27515 Bremerhaven, Germany ARGOS Programme Number 12919 (sub-program of 919) The project uses Argos beacons to locate seismometers on ice floats during expeditions. The use of the beacons is suspended at the moment and will be used again in 2014-2015. A total of 6 beacons are registered in the programme.

A lonely seismic station on an ice floe 33. European whitefronted ringing Project Helmut Kruckenberg, helmut [email protected] Europäisches Blessgans Forschungsprogramm, Am Steigbügel 3, D-27283 Verden (Aller), Germany Argos Programme Number 13189 Only three Lesser white-fronted geese are tracked with Argos tags at the moment. The tracking of the European whitefronted geese is now using GPRS beacons which allow advanced data collection and which are less expensive. 34. Bird migration and conservation Martin Wikelski, [email protected] Max Planck Research Centre for ornithology, Migration and Immuno-ecology (Vogelwarte Radolfzell), Schloß Möggingen, Schloßallee 2, 78315 Radolfzell, Germany Argos Programme Number 14983 (sub-program of 983) 35. Ruff breeding ecology Mihai Valcu, [email protected] Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, Behavioural Ecology and Evolutionary Genetics Eberhard-Gwinner Street 7 D-82319 Seewiesen Germany Argos Programme Number 15520 The natural history of many bird species breeding in the high Arctic is poorly known. A monitoring program based on 5g solar PTTs will help us better understand the mating system and migration patterns of the ruff (Philomachus pugnax).

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36. MPIO Arctic foxes Martin Wikelski, [email protected] Max Planck Research Centre for ornithology, Migration and Immuno-ecology (Vogelwarte Radolfzell), Schloß Möggingen, Schloßallee 2, 78315 Radolfzell, Germany Argos Programme 17983 37. Eagles Bernd Meyburg, [email protected] World working group on birds of prey and owls, Wangenheimstr. 32, D-14193 BERLIN, Germany ARGOS Programme Number 31136 (sub-PROGRAM OF PGM 1126) The W.W.G.B.P. has been active for thirty years now and today plays an important role in the promotion of raptor conservation and research on an international level. Its membership list today comprises over 3,000 raptor specialists and enthusiasts in all parts of the world, and anybody with an interest in raptors is welcome to become a member. The W.W:G.B.O tracks birds of prey world-wide since 1992. Theses raptors are belonging to 14 species. Resulting publications are available as PDF files: www.raptor-research.de". More information is available at http://www.raptors-international.de/index.htm The following projects have not been active in 2015: Programme 3338 ‘Montagu’s harrier’ has been moved to the Netherlands. Section 2. Future Plans GEOMAR activities will be continued at the same level. That is relevant for the following programs: 8165 (Argo equivalent float missions), 1783 (Glider missions), 783 (mooring watchdogs). No additional floats will be deployed within the ARGOS project 8165 in the eastern Pacific AWI will continue to use the ARGOS system for their mooring watch dogs (program 8919) but uses Iridium communication for all of its Argo Floats. Programme 1535 will continue its research in 2015/2016 AT DI Section 3. Technological Changes that affect User Requirements Section 4. User issues, problems, and level of satisfaction with Argos Section 5. Successful programme use of Argos Section 6. Analysis of Local Operational Issues The compilation of a list of users for each individual country has helped a lot in compiling the national report. The new format for the national report is also very helpful

________________

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4. India

Year 2015 Country India

(Report submitted by M. Ravichandran, INCOIS, India) Section 1. Overall Summary India is using ARGOS services for Ocean Observation platforms such as Argo floats, drifting buoys, Wave rider buoys, Glider, ADCP moorings, fish tagging and moored buoys. Section 2. User Types by family (Table of PTT use by the country)

Average active PTTs per month

Total PTT.Years

Buoys and others 30 22.77 Profiling floats 93 18.34 Animals 10 2.51 Fixed stations 17 15.78 TOTAL 150 59.40

Section 3. Technological Changes that Affect User Requirements Since the bandwidth is low, we could not acquire higher vertical resolution of temperature and salinity. Also, the floats need to be longer time on the surface for transmission, it quickly drifting to the shore or beached. Further, we could not communicate to the float/buoy, once deployed. Hence, we started using some of the floats with Iridium communication. ARGOS can think about higher bandwidth and also two way communication. Section 4. User issues, problems, and level of satisfaction with ARGOS Though ARGOS could cater many useful services with low cost, bandwidth need to be increased. Also, more number satellites are required for the low latitude regions for better repeatability, Section 5. Successful program use of ARGOS Low cost, low power one way communication is very much suitable for some platforms, but it will not cater all platforms. Improvement in location accuracy is good initiative by ARGOS. From last one year, ARGOS services are being used many other platforms (Glider, wave rider buoys, etc.,) apart from others. Section 6. Analysis of Local Operational Issues If the PTT id is not used by any national for more than a year, then CLS should send a reminder to that Nation and remove the id. Before charging unused id, CLS should ask the national contact point, whether we want to retain that id or charge for unused id.

______________

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5. The Netherlands

Year 2015 Country Netherlands Section 1. Overall Summary The usage of the ARGOS system is limited in The Netherlands. According to the CLS database there are five Dutch organizations that use the ARGOS system: • BUREAU WAARDENBURG (BUWA): bird migration monitoring • DUTCH MONTAGU'S HARRIER FOUNDATION: bird migration monitoring • ROYAL NETHERLANDS METEOROLOGICAL INSTITUTE (KNMI): Argo buoy data transmission • ROYAL NIOZ (INSTITUTE FOR SEA RESEARCH): alerting of sea level appearance of buoy

anchoring’s. • UTRECHT UNIVERSITY: divers use: drifting buoy monitoring, polar region research, etc. From three of these organizations a response has been received: NIOZ, KNMI and BUWA. The other two did not respond, even after repeated requests. Section 2. Future Plans KNMI: Continuous use of ARGOS at approximately the current level. NIOZ: The use of ARGOS buoy’s will be gradually phased out. BUWA: Currently only one transmitter is operational. When this transmitter collapses then BUWA will stop (temporarily?) the use of ARGOS. Section 3. Technological Changes that affect User Requirements KNMI: n/a NIOZ: At present, NIOZ still has 29 ARGOS beacons are on the list, but there are only 8 actually in business. All ARGOS beacons are used to locate to buoy anchoring’s at the time they arrive at sea level (ARGOS is not used for transmittance of observation data). NIOZ less and less beacons on the list (some get broken or lost) and also put less and less ARGOS buoys in operation (currently there are 8 buoys offline). Broken ARGOS buoys are not replaced by new ARGOS buoys, but by buoys with Iridium beacons. BUWA: n/a Section 4. User issues, problems, and level of satisfaction with Argos KNMI: is satisfied with ARGOS. NIOZ: In the beginning of this year there was a problem with CLS, which is still not completely solved (action lays currently at the NIOZ side).The problem was that NIOZ got an invoice for a beacon that was logged off and apparently suddenly had begun to send again. At first is such an invoice uncontrollable. Much more important is that we got no warning of CLS that the beacon had started to send again (NIOZ could not recognize this restart because it was not logged in for this beacon. NIOZ understands this from a commercial point of view, but at the same time, NIOZ would always want to receive a message when one of their beacons restart to beep. That is the whole reason to have such a beacon. If needed an email exchange with CLS is available. BUWA: n/a Section 5. Successful programme use of Argos KNMI: Used for Argo floats – works perfectly.

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NIOZ: Apart from the story as mentioned in section 4 NIOZ is generally very pleased with ARGOS/CLS. If the anchoring comes at the surface NIOZ receives a signal and is, if necessary, able to take action. BUWA: BUWA had different birds equipped with transmitters and followed the migration pattern via ARGOS. Most of the studies have been completed successfully. Section 6. Analysis of Local Operational Issues KNMI: none NIOZ: none BUWA: none

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6. New Zealand

Year 2015

Country New Zealand Section 1. Overall Summary

The NZ JTA Argos usage in 2015 consists of 9 programs from 5 governmental departments, a university and a private company that monitor and research environmental conditions, mammals, sharks and birds. There has been a significant drop in usage due to funding which in some cases is linked to Argos charges with over half of the New Zealand programs not being active during the last year. Many users mention that unused PTT charges on species that are hard to find is frustrating which was mentioned in last years report. Section 2. Future Plans

New Zealand MetService will stop using Argos once the last Argos buoy has finished its life due to communication costs and reliability compared to Iridium. Only a few respondents have mentioned next years program. Section 3. Technological Changes that affect User Requirements

There was no feedback comments regarding this section. Section 4. User issues, problems, and level of satisfaction with Argos

Several users are frustrated with the cost of unused PTT charges when extended periods of time is taken to locate some species. Some organisations use Argos as a backup to Iridium so they could not give a thorough user response. One user mentioned that bad accuracy and the high cost of satellite bandwidth affects their research under their budget. Those that regularly use Argos seem satisfied with the data provided. Section 5. Successful programme use of Argos

Some of the successful programs include: • Tracking great white sharks, basking sharks and various ray species to determine movement

patterns and habitat use between NZ, Australia and several Southwest Pacific Islands. • Ocean glider environmental research. • Volcanic monitoring. • Behavior and location research on a rare NZ dolphin.


One user that complained regarding the 10 day data storage limit was very pleased when this was changed to 20 days. He now has a more positive attitude towards Argos as a company that listens to user requests.

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7. South Africa

Year 2015 Country Republic of South Africa

Role Player 1 – South African Weather Service (SAWS)

Role Player 2 – University of Pretoria – Mammal Research Institute (MRI)

Role Player 3 – Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife

Role Player 4 – University of the Witwatersrand (Wits)

Role Player 5 – Mulilo Renewable Energy

Role Player 6 – BirdLife South Africa

Section 1. Overall Summary RP1: SAWS has been deploying drifting weather buoys on behalf of the Global Drifter Program for

the past year. These deployments fall under the DBCP’s respective programmes (ISABP,

IBPIO and IPAB). They also act as liaison between the Governments of South Georgia, the

Falklands and Tristan da Cunha for assistance in deployment and permission to place fixed

weather buoys on the Islands of Tristan da Cunha and South Thule for atmospheric pressure

measurements. The drifting weather buoys make use of the Argos System to transmit the

data.

RP2: The Mammal Research Institute (MRI) of the University of Pretoria conducts multi-species

tracking on Marion Island and British Gough and Tristan da Cunha Islands. Project Argos

3243 tracks Southern Elephant Seals (Mirounga leonina) primarily, and on occasion

Subantarctic fur seals (Arctocephalus tropicalis). The animals are tagged at various sites

around the Islands, depending of the time of the year.

RP3: No feedback received.

RP4: Since June 2013, no new collars were deployed. Awaiting the capture of two animals in order

to deploy two collars – hopefully by January 2015.

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RP 6: Since 2012, BirdLife South Africa has been conducting research on the movements of adult

African Penguins outside of the breeding season (i.e. during the pre- and post-moult periods).

The aim of the study is to determine important foraging areas during these crucial life history

stages and to compare this with at-sea threats they may face (e.g. competition with small

pelagic fisheries). From December 2013 – March 2015 we tracked the movements of 5

juvenile Tristan Albatrosses from when they left their colony at Gough Island for the first time,

until the PTT batteries died. The aim of this project was to track their movements to see if they

differ from adult movements, perhaps taking them into higher risk areas for bycatch in

fisheries.

Section 2. User Types by family (Table of PTT use by the country)

Average active PTTs per month

Total PTT.Years

Buoys and others 42 42

Profiling floats 18 18

Animals [25 (RP2) 2(RP4) 10 (RP6)] [25 (RP2) 2(RP4) 10 (RP6)]

Fixed stations 2 2

TOTAL 89 89

Section 3. Technological Changes that Affect User Requirements

RP1: None

RP2: Kalman Filtering improved position fixes


RP4: Nothing to report – no deployments done


RP6: None

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Section 4. User issues, problems, and level of satisfaction with ARGOS

RP1: No issues experienced. Can always access the data immediately when we need to.

RP2: All fine. Prompt and efficient. Just very expensive



RP5: No feedback received

RP6: We have been satisfied with our interactions with ARGOS. The Staff are quick to respond to

queries. We haven’t had any issues with ARGOS service.

Section 5. Successful program use of ARGOS

RP1: Argos is used to verify that the drifters are operational before deployment, as well as track and

download the data.

RP2: So far so good.



RP5: No feedback received

RP6: Our research program has been very successful in collecting high quality data, which will be

used for the conservation of the African Penguin. The limitations to our research have not

been due to ARGOS but have been due to the high costs of purchasing PTTs and subsequent

refurbishment for continued use.


RP1: We have no problems with ARGOS.

RP2: No problems were experienced.


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RP4: Nothing to report – no deployments done.


RP6: No problems were experienced.

Compiled by Tshikana Rasehlomi

Approved by ROC Johan Stander

For the JTA National Report

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8. Sweden

Year 2015 Country Sweden The report contains the status for the ARGOS-program of Thomas Alerstam, University of Lund Section 1. Overall Summary Project 1204 (satellite tracking of migrating birds) is presently operating at a low level with only a few PTTs (3-4) active on raptors and cuckoos. Section 2. Future Plans We hope that the use will increase with more PTTs during coming years, but this will depend on the outcome of research applications. Section 3. Technological Changes that affect User Requirements Section 4. User issues, problems, and level of satisfaction with Argos Professor Alerstam is satisfied with the support Argos is giving to the research project.. Section 5. Successful programme use of Argos Section 6. Analysis of Local Operational Issues

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9. Switzerland

Year 2015 Country Switzerland Section 1. Overall Summary In 2015, eleven different projects existed belonging to 8 different users/organizations. All PTTs were deployed on animals, most of them on birds. Only less than 20 PTTs are active at present at not one project works withmore then 5 active PTTs. About 60% of the PTTs were used in Switzerland, the others abroad. Most of the PTTs are sending at least once every fifth day, some of them send daily. Due to missing funds, but also in view of other techniques (GPS-data logger with GSM transmission) the number of PTTs is likely to decrease in 2016. Section 2. Future Plans All or most of the PTTs working in 2015 should still be working in 2016, but in at least 8 out of the 11 differents projects, it is not planned to buy new PTTs in 2016. Conventional Argos-PTTs (without GPS are used in projects where a device should weigh less then 15 g. In other projects, combined Argos-GPS-PTTs will be used. Section 3. Technological Changes that affect User Requirements - Size / weight of the PTTs - Access to data by smart mobile phones ("app" also for iPhone, not only android system). - Improved map quality on the web acces (visualizing localisations). Section 4. User issues, problems, and level of satisfaction with Argos No special problem. There will be more and more concurrence with other technics (GPS-GSM) in projects tracking animals. Advantages of concurrent products: more localizations per day and cheaper. Section 5. Successful programme use of Argos Several of our projects especially in the High Arctic (tracking birds) could not have been realised without Argos Section 6. Analysis of Local Operational Issues -

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10. United Arab Emirates

Year 2015 Country United Arab Emirates Section 1. Overall Summary The United Arab Emirates started the satellite-tracking program in 1994 through the National Avian Research Center (NARC) of the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi, primarily for studying movement and migration of the Asian Houbara. At present, eight programs in the country are currently registered and all related to wildlife tracking. Of these, six are on birds, one on marine mammal and another on fishes. A major project on sea turtles was completed last year. The use of Argos program in the UAE has been highly successful in improving the conservation of the tracked species and their habitats.

Family Program

Number Program Name Organization Program Manager Status

Bird 1440 Wildlife in Asia and Africa

International Fund For Houbara Conservation

Mohammed S. Al Baidani

Active

Bird 3763 Emirates Centre for the Conservation of Houbara

Emirates Centre for the Conservation of Houbara (ECCH) Uzbekistan.

Yves Choquet Active

Bird 3416 Survey of Houbara bustard

ECWP (Emirates Centre for Wildlife Propagation) Morocco.

Yves Hingrat Active

Bird 4162 Post-natal dispersal of Houbara bustards

Emirates Bird Breeding Centre for the Conservation of Houbara-Abu Dhabi (EBBCC)

Keith Scotland Active

Bird 3657 Birds Arabia Environment Agency Salim Javed Active

Dugong 23657 Dugongs in AD (sub program of 3657)

Environment Agency Himansu Das On hold

Bird 5421 Socotra cormorant foraging ecology

United Arab emirates university

Sabir Muzaffar Project completed in 2014

Marine Animals

5073 Burj al Arab Burj al Arab Warren Baverstock

Fish 15073 Fish Tag Warren Baverstock Warren Baverstock Active

Marine Animals

4189 Gulf turtle project (sub-program 4189)

Emirates Wildlife Society-WWF

Lisa Perry Shrake Project Completed; More work is planned

Land Animals

24189 Ungulates (sub-program 4189)

Emirates Wildlife Society-WWF

Lisa Perry Shrake Active

Birds 2180

Falcons (Saker, Peregrine & Gyr)

Environment Agency-Abu Dhabi (IWC)

Andrew Dixon Active

Section 2. Future Plans There are other studies planned on seabirds under program 5421. Under program 3657, plans are to deploy more transmitters on Egyptian Vulture and other migratory raptors, towards end of 2015 and in 2016. No plans for 2016 for 24189 on the ungulates due to obvious difficulties in getting signals and the existing transmitters are likely to be re-allocated for work on other species.

Under program 4189, plans are to continue monitoring marine turtles in the region with a focus on green turtles (nesting and foraging). Scope is currently being developed and implementation of this project will be subject to funding.

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Section 3. Technological Changes that affect User Requirements Due to poor results using ARGOS tracking in Wadi Wurayah National Park, other transmission technologies than through satellite are being considered to collect GPS data (GSM network, UHF, drones). Argos tracking did not seem to be very efficient for the relatively small-scale movements in the mountainous environment of Eastern UAE.

Under Program 5421 the work on Socotra Cormorant a seabird, transmitters seemed to have generally low life compared to what was expected. Duty cycles (on for four hours early in the morning) were planned to maximize life to about 1 year. However, most were waning away by early February, possibly due to batteries not having enough voltage to send signals on account of the birds’ foraging and diving activities. Nevertheless, the pattern of PTT loss appeared to be typical for similar projects, with many PTTs being lost relative early (within a few months) and few sending signals for more extended periods (almost 8 months for the last 4 PTTs).

Section 4. User issues, problems, and level of satisfaction with Argos Eight Argos transmitters (Telonics Argos- GPS collar) were acquired in 2012 by EWS-WWF to deploy on feral goat or Arabian Tahr under program 21489. Tests of transmitters in the field gave satisfactory results. The only transmitter deployed on a feral goat in July 2013 provided poor data. Data from the transmitter were received at a decreasing rate from August 2013 to October 2014 and only 130 GPS locations (none after February 2014), and 61 Argos locations (98% being A or B class) were received. This low transmission rate is most presumably related to the tough relief (steep slopes and cliffs) of the area where transmitters were deployed (Wadi Wurayah National Park in the Hajar Mountains), with significant decrease in efficiency for fixing GPS locations, transmitting data to satellites and calculating Argos locations of the transmitter.

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Section 5. Successful programme use of Argos Despite the low number of valid or accurate locations, the collected data provided interesting information on previously unknown feral goat movements in the UAE. Marine Turtles Tracking Project report compiled datasets generated from 75 hawksbill turtles, as well as with additional datasets that other organizations have acquired as part of their own individual projects. This comprehensive work sparked more regional interest as well as discussions with the international scientific community. Use of Argos in Houbara Conservation has already provided interesting and often new information, which is helping the conservation of this important species. Also, use of the technology on migratory raptors and waterbirds under program 3657 continues to provide useful and interesting information on the species’ movement and migration patterns and in helping conservation of species locally and globally.

Section 6. Analysis of Local Operational Issues Except the problem of difficult transmission in mountainous environment, there are no other problems in terms of use of Argos, based on the feedback from one of the users. Preparing national report is a challenge as out of the entire registered programs, only two provided their reports.

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11. United States of America

Year 2015 Country USA Section 1. Overall Summary The table below displays the ARGOS program usage for the past 5 years as well as an estimate of the 5 year time period between 2015 and 2019.

As can be seen from the table above, the composition is expected to shift from a predominantly oceanographic and data buoy focus to a focus on tracking land and marine animals. This is due to a different satellite telecommunications system. Section 2. Future Plans With over 600 programs, it is difficult to survey all the users regarding their future plans. Consequently, the largest users are surveyed as their usage significantly affects the total. The NOAA ARGO and NOAA Global Drifter Program (GDP) utilize over 86% of the USA usage for Floats and Buoys respectively. As can be seen from the table above, the Float usage is expected to decrease to 5% by the end of 2019 because the NOAA ARGO Program has ceased deploying floats with ARGOS transmitters, The GDP expects to slowly phase ARGOS deployments with a target composition of 20% of their array using ARGOS by 2019.. Section 3. Technological Changes that affect User Requirements Much has been touted by CLS of the potential for the newly developed ARTIC transmitter for ARGOS 3 & 4. These devices will benefit from the new Argos features including the two-way communication that will allow transmission of larger set of data including marine data. It is expected that the US wildlife programs will benefit from this and if the past usage is an indicator of future use, the US Animal programs will become the primary user of ARGOS by 2019. Section 4. User issues, problems, and level of satisfaction with Argos There are several US programs that utilize ARGOS as a secondary or back-up transmission system that simply transmits location data. For long-term cost containment, and because they use the system as a backup, they hope that a future service category could include an inexpensive monthly fee for latitude and longitude coordinates only.

• Section 5. Successful programme use of Argos • The USA has over 6,000 ARGOS transmitters deployed that transmit on a monthly basis.

These transmitters are attached to buoys and floats that take ocean measurements, terrestrial

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and marine mammals tracking locations of turtles, birds of prey, and sharks. Finally, ARGOS is also used by the National Ice Center to track ice floes in the arctic. Some examples of ARGOS use:

• USA Argos met-ocean platforms contribute ~30,000 daily observations (or ~1M/month) to the

Global Telecommunication System for use by numerical weather prediction, ocean, and climate models around the world

Major Federal Government Wildlife Monitoring Programs (& Goals)

• Alaska Fisheries Science Center – Polar Seals The Polar Ecosystems Program of the Alaska Fisheries Science Center studies the movements, locations, and behaviors of free-ranging seals in high-latitude oceans. The results are fundamental for determining habitat requirements, estimating population abundance, and projecting the impacts of climate disruption on these ice-associated species.

• Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center – Marine Turtles

To track the ocean movements of sea turtles to determine routes of travel and end-point foraging areas, and to track the movements of pelagic turtles in development habitats in relation to oceanographic characteristics.

• Northwest Fisheries Science Center – Marine Mammal Program

Argos transmitters will be deployed on marine mammals to meet the mission goals of NOAA Fisheries in the Pacific Northwest of the United States and other regions it has collaborators. These objectives include improving data on various marine mammal stock assessments and habitat use patterns.

• Southeast Fisheries Science Center – Billfish, Swordfish, Tuna, and Turtle Tagging

Program The objectives of this program are to monitor the habitat use and post release fate of the target species. This information provides insights into essential fish habitat and post-release survival of these animals for purposes of rebuilding depleted stocks, reducing the uncertainties of stock assessments, and improving the biological basis for management.

• Southwest Fisheries Science Center – Antarctic Marine Living Resources Predator Ecology

Pinniped research to be conducted consists of land-based studies in the region of the Antarctic Peninsula.

Section 6. Analysis of Local Operational Issues None at this time.

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Documents

WORLD METEOROLOGICAL ORGANIZATION …...Overall, Argos usage has declined since 2014, with a total projected PTT years of 77.82 for 2015, down 14.9% from the 2014 actual PTT consumption