Global network aims to tag marine life

Thousands of marine animals, from fish to birds to polar bears, could be tracked under a $150 million conservation project using technology perfected for supermarket checkouts, scientists announced at a tagging conference being held this week.

The Ocean Tracking Network will be based on electronic tags implanted into creatures such as salmon, tuna, sharks, sturgeon, penguins or polar bears to register their movements via satellite or acoustic receivers on the floors of the oceans.