{"id":3012,"date":"2014-09-29T08:48:47","date_gmt":"2014-09-29T15:48:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.oregonstate.edu\/breakingwaves\/?p=3012"},"modified":"2014-09-30T08:28:54","modified_gmt":"2014-09-30T15:28:54","slug":"floating-transponders-track-tsunami-debris-path","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dev.blogs.oregonstate.edu\/breakingwaves\/2014\/09\/29\/floating-transponders-track-tsunami-debris-path\/","title":{"rendered":"Floating transponders track tsunami debris path"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Japanese<\/a>CORVALLIS, Ore. \u2013 Northwest anglers venturing out into the Pacific Ocean in pursuit of salmon and other fish this fall may scoop up something unusual into their nets \u2013 instruments known as transponders, released from Japan to track the movement of marine debris in ocean currents.
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About the size of a 2-liter soda bottle, the instruments were intentionally set adrift from different ports off Japan in 2011-12 after the massive Tohoku earthquake and tsunami. Researchers from Tattori University for Environmental Studies in Japan have been collaborating with Oregon State University, Oregon Sea Grant, and the NOAA Marine Debris Program on the project http:\/\/www.kankyo-u.ac.jp\/research\/sri\/field\/002\/results\/trackinginfo<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Their goal is to track the movement of debris via ocean currents and help determine the path and timing of the debris from the 2011 disaster. An estimated 1.5 million tons of debris was washed out to sea and it is expected to continue drifting ashore along the West Coast of the United States for several years, according to Sam Chan, a watershed health specialist with Oregon State University Extension and Oregon Sea Grant who has been working with the Japanese and NOAA on marine debris research and outreach since the 2011 earthquake.
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\u201cThese transponders only have a battery life of about 30 months and then they no longer communicate their location,\u201d Chan said. \u201cSo the only way to find out where they end up is to physically find them and report their location. That\u2019s why we need the help of fishermen, beachcombers and other coastal visitors.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThese bottles contain transmitters and they are not a hazardous device,\u201d Chan added. \u201cIf you find something that looks like an orange soda bottle with a short antenna, we\u2019d certainly like your help in turning it in.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Persons who find a transponder are asked to photograph it if possible, and report the location of their find to Chan at Samuel.Chan@oregonstate.edu<\/a>; or to the NOAA Marine Debris Program regional coordinator in their area at http:\/\/marinedebris.noaa.gov\/contact-us<\/a>. They will provide shipping instructions to persons who find the transponders so that the instruments can be returned to the research team.<\/span><\/p>\n

Learn more<\/p>\n