Underwater gliders are autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) that can move through the water without propellers, instead using buoyancy changes and wings to glide through the ocean. They are often used to collect data on temperature, salinity, and dissolved oxygen levels, but new research suggests that they can also be used to track fish.

A team of researchers from the University of California, Santa Barbara attached acoustic tags to 10 giant bluefin tuna and then used underwater gliders to track the fish's movements. The gliders were able to track the fish for up to 10 days at a time, and the data collected provided valuable insights into the tuna's behavior.

The researchers found that the tuna traveled up to 100 kilometers per day and made regular dives of up to 1,000 meters. They also found that the tuna spent most of their time in areas with high concentrations of krill, their primary food source.

This research demonstrates that underwater gliders can be a valuable tool for tracking fish. Gliders can collect data for longer periods of time than other tracking methods, and they can also be used to track fish in remote areas. This information can be used to better understand the biology and behavior of fish, and it can also be used to inform fisheries management decisions.

In addition to tracking fish, underwater gliders can also be used to track other marine animals, such as whales, sharks, and sea turtles. Gliders are a versatile tool that can provide valuable insights into the lives of marine animals.