Pacific Ocean Shelf Tracking Project

{{Short description|Field project of the Census of Marine Life}}

{{Infobox organization

|name = Pacific Ocean Shelf Tracking Project

|abbreviation = POST

|established = 2002

|headquarters = Vancouver Aquarium

|website = [http://www.coml.org/projects/pacific-ocean-shelf-tracking-project-post/ coml.org]

}}

The Pacific Ocean Shelf Tracking Project (POST) is a field project of the Census of Marine Life that researches the behavior of marine animals through the use of ocean telemetry and data management systems.{{cite web|url=http://coml.org/projects/pacific-ocean-shelf-tracking-project-post|title=Program Description on CoML Website|website=Coml.org|accessdate=11 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090328132509/http://www.coml.org/projects/pacific-ocean-shelf-tracking-project-post|archive-date=2009-03-28|url-status=dead}} This system of telemetry consists of highly efficient lines of acoustic receivers that create sections of the continental shelf along the coast of the Pacific Northwest. The acoustic receivers pick up signals from the tagged animals as they pass along the lines, allowing for the documentation of movement patterns. The receivers also allow for the estimation of parameters such as swimming speed and mortality.{{cite journal|title=PLOS Collections: Article collections published by the Public Library of Science|doi=10.1371/issue.pcol.v01.i05 |doi-access=free }} The trackers sit on the seabed of the continental shelf and in the major rivers of the world. This method can be used to improve fishing skills and management.{{Cite web |url=http://www.coml.org/projects/pacific-ocean-shelf-tracking-project-post |title=Pacific Ocean Shelf Tracking Project (POST) | Census of Marine Life |access-date=2013-05-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140227175958/http://www.coml.org/projects/pacific-ocean-shelf-tracking-project-post/ |archive-date=2014-02-27 |url-status=dead }}

The program started in 2002 and was initially limited to the study of the movement and ocean-survival of both hatchery-raised and wild salmon in the Pacific Northwest. After the successful pilot period, the program has now moved into the tracking of trout,{{cite journal|title=Early Marine Migration Patterns of Wild Coastal Cutthroat Trout (Oncorhynchus clarki clarki), Steelhead Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), and Their Hybrids|first1=Megan E.|last1=Moore|first2=Fred A.|last2=Goetz|first3=Donald M. Van|last3=Doornik|first4=Eugene P.|last4=Tezak|first5=Thomas P.|last5=Quinn|first6=Jose J.|last6=Reyes-Tomassini|first7=Barry A.|last7=Berejikian|date=20 September 2010|journal=PLOS ONE|volume=5|issue=9|pages=e12881|doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0012881|pmc=2942839|pmid=20862225|bibcode=2010PLoSO...512881M|doi-access=free}} sharks,{{cite journal|title=Seasonal and Ontogenetic Changes in Movement Patterns of Sixgill Sharks|first1=Kelly S.|last1=Andrews|first2=Greg D.|last2=Williams|first3=Phillip S.|last3=Levin|date=8 September 2010|journal=PLOS ONE|volume=5|issue=9|pages=e12549|doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0012549|pmc=2935885|pmid=20838617|bibcode=2010PLoSO...512549A|doi-access=free}} rockfish, and lingcod.{{cite journal|title=Application of Acoustic Telemetry to Assess Residency and Movements of Rockfish and Lingcod at Created and Natural Habitats in Prince William Sound|first1=Brad F.|last1=Reynolds|first2=Sean P.|last2=Powers|first3=Mary Anne|last3=Bishop|date=13 August 2010|journal=PLOS ONE|volume=5|issue=8|pages=e12130|doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0012130|pmc=2921330|pmid=20730090|bibcode=2010PLoSO...512130R|doi-access=free}}