CA18102 - The European Aquatic Animal Tracking Network (ETN)

Telemetry is a commonly applied method to investigate the ecology and movement behaviour of aquatic
species in relation to their environment. It provides a scientific basis for management and conservation and
has significantly improved our understanding of ecosystem functioning and dynamics. More specifically,
telemetry provides valuable data that can be used in many policies and directives. As a result, large scale
nationally and regionally managed initiatives were implemented around the globe in recent years. Although
there is a large and growing number of researchers in Europe using biotelemetry to study aquatic animals
and answer management-related questions, there is a stringent lack of in-field telemetry collaborations in
Europe. This situation represents a substantial loss of opportunities for: scientific excellence, funding
opportunities and competitivity of European SME on the international biotelemetry market.
With this COST Action, we want to close this gap and the overarching objective is to ensure a transition
from a loosely-coordinated set of existing regional telemetry initiatives to a sustainable, efficient, and
integrated pan-European biotelemetry network embedded in the international context of already existing
initiatives. This will be achieved through working group meetings, workshops, training courses and scientific
missions focused on: 1) Implementing a centralised European database, requirements and policy mapped
to the data standards of existing international biotelemetry data systems, 2) improve the usefulness and
inter-applicability of currently available technology and foster technological advancements, 3) promoting the
establishment of key telemetry infrastructure and research on key species, and 4) provide continuous training opportunities and disseminate knowledge to the stakeholders’ community.