Tracking Marine Life

With rapid advancement in technology involving satellites, wireless communications, and information technology, scientists are beginning to gain ground in understanding the movements and migrations of a number of marine animals.  This document from the Census of Marine Life provides an overview of the marine life tracking process. The links below take you directly to programs that visualize the movements of these marine animals based on tracking data.

If you know of a great marine life tracking website, please let us know by filling in the contact form at the bottom of this page!

SHARKS

Credit: NOAA Fisheries Image Gallery

Global Tagging of Pacific Predators (GTOPP) has tagged these species:

• Great White Sharks
• Salmon Sharks
• Shortfin Mako Sharks
• Whale Sharks

Ocearch  has a Global Shark Tracker (Great White Sharks)

MCSI Expedition has a White Shark Mobile App  (Great White Sharks)

Guy Harvey Research Institute has tagged these species:

• Mako Sharks
• Sand Tiger Sharks
• Oceanic Whitetip Sharks
• Tiger Sharks

MARINE MAMMALS

Credit: NOAA FisheriesOffice of Protected Resources

Elephant SealsGlobal Tagging of Pacific Predators (GTOPP) Elephant Seals

Polar BearsWorld Wildlife Fund/Canon Polar Bear Tracker

TUNA and BILLFISH

Credit: NOAA SouthwestFisheries Center

Global Tagging of Pacific Predators (GTOPP) has tagged these species:

• Atlantic Bluefin Tuna
• Pacific Bluefin Tuna
• Pacific Blue Marlin

Guy Harvey Research Institute has tagged these species:

• Blue Marlin

SEA TURTLES

Credit: NOAA FisheriesOffice of Protected Resources

Leatherback TurtlesGlobal Tagging of Pacific Predators (GTOPP) Leatherback Turtles

Loggerhead TurtlesLoggerhead Marinelife Center Loggerhead Turtles

Gulf TurtlesMarine Turtle Tracking Project Gulf Turtles