University uses 3D-printed module to help track Chinese sturgeon

By Chen Si, Yichang International Communication Studio

More than 200,000 Chinese sturgeons were released into the Yangtze River on March 28, 2024. Some of them were equipped with a new tracking device. The white module was securely attached to the backs of several large Chinese sturgeons. Developed by the 3D printing research and development team at China Three Gorges University, the module contains a tracking sonar device.

 

The team's researchers have found that the 3D-printed module provides a more secure attachment to the fish and has a longer lifespan. The Chinese sturgeon is considered a national treasure, like to the giant panda, but its population in the wild is on the edge of extinction. In 2010, it was classified as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

By placing the device externally on the sturgeons' bodies, scientists aim to accurately track their movements in the Yangtze River and migration patterns. This approach will allow for a better understanding of the Chinese sturgeon's life history. Previous tracking devices were implanted inside the fish.

The module is made from a new material that can withstand the resistance of water currents, providing better protection for the fish's skin and bones while minimizing impact.

The team will monitor the results and quickly make adjustments to the module's design.