Use of an implanted sound recording device (Bioacoustic Probe) to document the acoustic environment of a blacktip reef shark (Carcharhinus melanopterus)

Gaps in our knowledge of basic fish ecology have provided impetus for development of novel “ecology tags” to detect and quantify hard to observe behaviors such as spawning, schooling and feeding. The acoustic environment is one source of potentially useful information about these behaviors. We implanted an acoustic recording tag (Bioacoustic Probe) into the gut cavity of a blacktip reef shark to determine whether an implanted tag could successfully record external and internal sounds. The tag successfully recorded reef fish vocalizations, boat engine noise, the sound of the shark feeding and unidentified rhythmic sounds that may derive from shark tail beats. Technical challenges remain, but sound recording tags have the potential to provide novel insights into shark and fish ecology.