Impacts of bird predation on the detection of acoustic telemetry tags in fish (ver. 2.0, September 2025)

This data release contains the methodology and results of three field experiments performed in 2024 and 2025 to better understand how predation impacts detection efficiency of acoustic tags. The first experiment was a static approach focusing on how different tag types, tag power, depth, distance to passive receivers, and predation would affect detection efficiency and utilized both tagged yellow perch (Perca flavescens) as well as double-crested cormorants (Phalacrocorax auritus) that had "consumed" a tagged yellow perch and indicated that proximity to the surface as well as range from passive receivers were significant factors. The second experiment was designed to simulate cormorant diving activity and determine how that behavior and tags with different nominal signal delays affects detection efficiency. The third experiment was a static approach similar to the first experiment and was designed to fill in data gaps of the first experiment utilizing both tagged yellow perch and double-crested cormorants.

First release: April 17, 2025
Revised: September 23, 2025 (ver. 2.0)