Basic Equipment
Identifying, mapping and describing spawning aggregations are important for monitoring change and conserving spawning aggregations. Depending on the conservation needs and the anticipated outcomes, these activities can range from simple to highly complex. For most marine resource managers, the resources available for initial investigations are limited.
Fishers getting trained on a GPS unit. Photo © S. Wear/TNC
Essential basic pieces of equipment include:
- a GPS, or global positioning system
- a reliable nautical chart
A GPS is typically a handheld or mounted electronic unit that receives signals from GPS satellites to determine its exact position on the earth in terms of latitude and longitude. The unit can also record and store your position, which is called a waypoint. This allows you to return to exactly the same location later, or create a route map of where you have been when multiple waypoints are entered. Simple GPS units (e.g., Garmin, Magellan) are rather inexpensive and allow the FSA location to be relocated easily and accurately, particularly where oceanographic or underwater conditions are unfavorable because of poor visibility, poor weather, or rough seas. GPS units may also be used for mapping.
Similarly, nautical charts allow managers to navigate through areas that may be unfamiliar and, with the use of the GPS, provide a basic way to locate, record and map FSAs relative to the surrounding area.
Resources