Despite its sophisticated technology, the tracking is quite simple.  Scientists tag sea creatures with tiny transmitters so that their movements can be tracked for as long as 20 years by receivers placed at one-kilometre intervals along the ocean floor.  As the animal swims over the receiver, it is recorded and the data is then uploaded to a central database, resulting in current and reliable international records that can be analyzed and applied to many different environmental efforts.  

To track changes of the ocean properties, pressure sensors can be added to the receivers to get real-time measurements of water depth, temperature and salinity. All provide significant information about climate change and the likelihood of natural disasters such as tsunami.