Speed of sound gradients due to summer thermal stratification can reduce the detection range of acoustic fish tags: results from a field study in Hamilton Harbour, Ontario

Understanding detection range is a key factor for the use of acoustic telemetry in fisheries research. Lakes have strong seasonal changes in thermal stratification, as well as short-term changes due to internal seiches. These thermal gradients in lakes imply strong sound-speed gradients that can refract and diverge acoustic signals, leading to acoustic attenuation and smaller detection range. Using field-based range testing and the Bellhop acoustic model, we investigated how changes in stratification lead to changes in detection range within Hamilton Harbour, Ontario, Canada. During the summer stratified period, the detection range was less than 350 m, whereas in the isothermal fall, range was up to 500 m. Range test data from three separate field observations showed a good correlation with Bellhop predictions. Owing to the intense internal seiches in Hamilton Harbour, the stratification in the shallower littoral regions essentially switched between stratified and isothermal conditions over short timescales, which is predicted to lead to high temporal variability in detection range that must be accounted for during the analysis and interpretation of telemetry-derived data.

Automated summary

Understanding detection range in acoustic telemetry is crucial in fisheries research, especially in lakes with strong seasonal and short-term changes in thermal stratification. Research in Hamilton Harbour, Ontario, Canada, shows that stratification changes significantly affect detection range, with intense internal seiches causing high temporal variability in range.