SEMINAR: OI Video Presentation - Dominique Pelletier

Title: Rotating Video Enables Fast Spatial Survey of Marine Macrofauna and Habitats

Abstract: Video techniques are increasingly used for observing underwater macrofauna and habitat. Most video techniques that do not need the presence of a diver use baited remote systems. I present an original video technique which relies on an unbaited rotating remote system including a high definition camera. The system is set on the sea floor to record images. These are then analysed at the office to quantify biotic and abiotic sea bottom cover, and to identify and count fish species and other species like marine turtles. The technique was tested in 2007 in a highly diversified coral reef ecosystem, the South Lagoon of New Caledonia, and then used each year from 2008 to 2010. I report the outcomes of the 2007 survey. The protocol covered both protected and unprotected areas in major lagoon habitats. The technique enabled to detect and identify a large number of species, and in particular fished species, which were not disturbed by the system. A large number of observations could be carried out per day at sea. This study showed the strong potential of this technique for observing both macrofauna and habitat. It offers a unique spatial coverage, is inconspicuous, and can be implemented at sea at reasonable cost by technical staff.