http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/briti...nsponder-sought-on-vancouver-island-1.3127307
Japanese tsunami debris transponder sought on Vancouver Island
GPS transponder was set adrift 4 years ago to track debris from the Japanese tsunami
CBC News Posted: Jun 25, 2015 8:51 AM PT| Last Updated: Jun 25, 2015 11:54 AM PT
This transponder, which was found off Haida Gwaii, on the North Coast of B.C., was set adrift from Japan to track debris from the 2011 tsunami. (Samuel Chan)
Researchers in Japan are hoping somebody on Vancouver Island will help them locate an important piece of scientific equipment that recently completed a long voyage across the Pacific Ocean.
The floating GPS transponder, which is about the size of a large pop bottle, was set adrift in January 2012 by researchers at Tattori University in Japan
Sam Chan, an associate professor at Oregon State University who studies aquatic invasive species, says the device has been helping track the movement of marine debris after the tsunami.
"The marine debris that was moved out by the Japanese tsunami in 2011 actually carried with it organisms. These transponders can help us explain how some of these organisms are able to survive long journeys."
Japanese tsunami transponder
The transponders, which are about the size of a large pop bottle, contain information on how to return them. (Sam Chan)
Recently the device was spotted off the West Coast, said Chan.
"It's had many years in the water and about four months ago, its signal indicated that it was actually hovering off Vancouver Island."
Now researchers believe the transponder was picked up by somebody and taken to Campbell River.
Although the device reports its position through satellites, it contains other data that need to be physically downloaded.
Japanese Tsunami transponder
Each unit contains a GPS transmitter to report its position and a battery designed to power it for up to 30 months. (Sam Chan)
Chan says the device contains information on how to return it, and he's hoping that's exactly what who ever picked it up will now do.
Last summer, another transponder was found off the coast of Haida Gwaii.
The transponders were released from northern Japan between June 2011 and January 2013. The batteries tend to last about three years, after which they no longer communicate their location.
You can view the tracking information on the university website.
A large amount of debris from the tsunami has washed up on the West Coast since 2011, including fishing boats, a barge and a Harley Davidson motorcycle in a shipping container.
Japanese tsunami debris transponder sought on Vancouver Island
GPS transponder was set adrift 4 years ago to track debris from the Japanese tsunami
CBC News Posted: Jun 25, 2015 8:51 AM PT| Last Updated: Jun 25, 2015 11:54 AM PT
This transponder, which was found off Haida Gwaii, on the North Coast of B.C., was set adrift from Japan to track debris from the 2011 tsunami. (Samuel Chan)
Researchers in Japan are hoping somebody on Vancouver Island will help them locate an important piece of scientific equipment that recently completed a long voyage across the Pacific Ocean.
The floating GPS transponder, which is about the size of a large pop bottle, was set adrift in January 2012 by researchers at Tattori University in Japan
Sam Chan, an associate professor at Oregon State University who studies aquatic invasive species, says the device has been helping track the movement of marine debris after the tsunami.
"The marine debris that was moved out by the Japanese tsunami in 2011 actually carried with it organisms. These transponders can help us explain how some of these organisms are able to survive long journeys."
Japanese tsunami transponder
The transponders, which are about the size of a large pop bottle, contain information on how to return them. (Sam Chan)
Recently the device was spotted off the West Coast, said Chan.
"It's had many years in the water and about four months ago, its signal indicated that it was actually hovering off Vancouver Island."
Now researchers believe the transponder was picked up by somebody and taken to Campbell River.
Although the device reports its position through satellites, it contains other data that need to be physically downloaded.
Japanese Tsunami transponder
Each unit contains a GPS transmitter to report its position and a battery designed to power it for up to 30 months. (Sam Chan)
Chan says the device contains information on how to return it, and he's hoping that's exactly what who ever picked it up will now do.
Last summer, another transponder was found off the coast of Haida Gwaii.
The transponders were released from northern Japan between June 2011 and January 2013. The batteries tend to last about three years, after which they no longer communicate their location.
You can view the tracking information on the university website.
A large amount of debris from the tsunami has washed up on the West Coast since 2011, including fishing boats, a barge and a Harley Davidson motorcycle in a shipping container.
