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Reef Fish Survey Team

Methodology and Gear

• Stationary Video Camera Array.  This array is composed of four orthogonally(perpendicular) spaced video cameras to determine relative abundance of fishes and percent cover of habitat. The array has no lights, does not move, and emits no sounds and therefore provides more accurate data on fishes than the ROV because it does not modify their behavior as much. However, data collected from the array is far more restricted geographically due to its static positioning.

Stationary Video Camera Array

• Stereo Cameras.  These new cameras consist of a stereo head (2 cameras simultaneously recording paired images), a video camera, a computer to record data and control functions, all inside a pressure housing.  The advantage of these cameras is they provide not only video data, but paired still images that can be run through Vision Measurement Software to provide length data for most fish in the field of view. 
• Chevron Fish Trap.  A limited number of traps are dropped on sample sites after the video array has been recovered.  A random number of fish are collected to determine age and size structure of local populations as well as determine spawning condition. All fish collected are measured, weighed and have otoliths and gonads removed for age, growth and reproductive studies.

Retrieving and emptying the chevron fish trap. 

• Hydrographic data. A SeaBird SB-19+ is dropped on each sample site either during or after the camera array deployment.  This CTD provides full water column measurements of depth, salinity, temperature, dissolved oxygen and light transmissivity at each station.
• Remotely operated vehicle (ROV). The ROV provides continuous live video data of fish and habitat within the study areas. The video footage is used to delineate and quantify habitat types as well as fish species presence and density within each habitat type. A ROV tracking system allows geo-referencing of fish and habitat data, and also allows for estimates of fish abundance per area.  Our Seabotix LBV 3002 is capable of diving to depths of 100 m and is equipped with scaling lasers so that fish size may be estimated.

Doug DeVries deploying the ROV.