Project Summary for 2005–04–10: An evaluation of autonomous visual data loggers for providing fishery management information on offshore reef fish assemblages
Groundfish assemblages are changing rapidly throughout the South Atlantic Bight region, especially in direct and indirect response to over fishing of many of the species of the snapper and grouper complex. Modeling of seasonal and decadal responses (distributions and life history) of fish populations to changing anthropogenic and environmental conditions can not take place until acquisition rates of high quality fish data are comparable to those of oceanographic measurements. Visual data is some of the highest quality information, and will allow confirmation of species presence and absence, contribute to understanding behavioral responses (see Background section). To obtain the level of quality and frequency of data necessary for modeling, data gathering and processing systems must be developed simultaneously that include evaluations of a fishery visual data loggers and of neural network based automatic video annotation software. The approach will be to visually sample fish populations hourly for several years at an expanding number of offshore oceanographic (CORMP, Caro–COOPs, SEA COOS, etc) buoy locations and permanent research sites, such as experimental Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), throughout the regional continental shelf.
Past experience has demonstrated difficulties in reliability of the complex microwave transmission system. Reduction in the mechanical/ electrical breakdown record may be possible with use of an autonomous data logger. Both systems require diver maintenance for equipment replacement, repairs and cleaning of fouled windows. The major disadvantage to a video data logger is the 3 — 4 month of operation without knowing if a malfunction had occurred, which may have reduced or stopped data collection. If operational reliability of data loggers can be improved, the number of diver service trips per camera may be reduced by combining trips to clean camera windows with trips for data downloads. Observations and counts of the fish populations were conducted daily for over two years. In June 2004, NURC of UNC Wilmington assisted in the establishment of three new research sites for autonomous cameras by rearrangement of large camera housing structures, which had been deployed near, but not on, the necessary locations.
Issues investigated by this early fisheries video research have included: seasonal movements of fishes, the potential for development of indices of abundance for some migratory and resident populations, and seasonal behaviors associated with the formation of prespawning or spawning aggregations. Information from direct observations via video is increasing and should contribute to predictive models relating environmental factors to fish movements and life history, which will be used by fisheries managers. Underwater video systems offshore allow the study of fishes on the bottom throughout the year without the costly trips to a research site in inclement weather. The resulting large quantity of digital image data will significantly enhance understanding fish behavior and movements within the South Atlantic Bight.
The proposed fisheries research directly relates to the goals of both the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the National Undersea Research Program (NURP) in the application of new quantitative technology to the assessment and protection of fish stocks in the Southeastern US, and should assist in determining causes of benthic community changes at Gray’s Reef through long-term video observations. Also, NOAA is mandated to assist the regional Fishery Management Councils, including the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council that is responsible for the large task of regulating stocks of the snapper/grouper complex of the South Atlantic Bight. The SAFMC is developing plans for ecosystem based fisheries management, which all require detailed information on interactions between species for incorporation into the Ecopath/Ecosim models. The Snapper/Grouper Assessment Panel of the SAFMC relies heavily on supplemental information provided by fishery-independent sources to develop, interpret or modify their stock assessments and recommendations for fishery regulations. In addition, managers of regional State waters and the Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary (16 km west of the first research site) are interested in additional information on seasonal or other changes in diversity and relative abundance of commercial species within or near their respective areas of concern. Long–term observational data sets from many video systems, such as visual data loggers placed strategically across the shelf, will be able to provide information on seasonal, latitudinal and depth differences in fish assemblages that should greatly assist in reef fish stock assessments and understanding for multi–species and ecosystem based management.
LONG–TERM GOALS:
The ultimate goal of the present fisheries video observations is to develop a predictive model of reef fish recruitment for fisheries management decisions based on relating observations on fish in their natural habitats with cyclic and stochastic changes in oceanographic conditions. A continuous time series of visual data on shelf edge fish assemblages from an extensive regional sampling grid will be integrated with SEA COOS oceanographic models. A region–wide network of video cameras, both real–time and data loggers, will be deployed on the developing network of buoys and platforms conducting oceanographic observations/measurements. Video data loggers and buoys will be located at sites of potential Marine Protected Areas, where reef fish aggregate for spawning. Extensive life history data already exists for inclusion with the visual data for enhanced model development. An association with a routine buoy maintenance program (SEA–COOS, CORMP, Caro–COOPs, etc.) will minimize deployment and data recovery costs of the video system. Visual fisheries data will be quantitatively analyzed to provide predictive information on fish movements and relative abundance for fisheries managers, as well as be automatically posted to the web site database for easy access by students, teachers and the general public.
LONG–TERM OBJECTIVES:
There are several long–term objectives, which will be integrated with the oceanographic observations of the overall SABSOON/SEACOOS project, and include:
The scientific objectives will require successful maintenance of a reliable underwater visual systems, which can provide near full motion video over long periods of time. Establishment of video data loggers at offshore sites is in preparation for satellite uplinks of video data, when broad-band service becomes economically feasible.
SHORT–TERM OBJECTIVES:
Specific objectives of the NURC assistance are to:
The dive support will allow immediate data inputs for analyses of latitudinal differences in:
A study of regional fish movements will be initiated as well as comparison of fish assemblage and functionality of microwave vs. video data loggers. The anticipated results include a greatly increased stream of video clip data available for fisheries analyses and for incorporation in regional oceanographic and ecosystem based models.
METHODS AND APPROACH:
Tropically diverse reef fish assemblages have been chosen for the evaluation of the data loggers, so that valuable fisheries data will be gained from the data sets during the investigation. The Gray’s Reef research site is at a low relief natural ridge, which is included in annual inventories of the fish species present. The SC research sites are at two depths each with fully developed fish assemblages including gag and scamp grouper. The video site in NC is located in an area in which many groupers have been repeatedly seen for many years.
At this time, the most pressing underwater system needs is to deploy the first autonomous video data logger at several new sites. Also, the primary research site must be reestablished with a system of underwater mate able connectors. These large efforts will require a well–coordinated cruise of professional divers and a period of near perfect weather. Logistics will be complicated by the need to have two bases of operation; one in Savannah to serve for dives at the main video and Gray’s Reef research sites, and one in Charleston to serve for the dives at the experimental MPA reefs.
Description of NURC/UNCW Support:
A new camera housing and transmission cable are required to regain operational capabilities and ensure reliable and high quality video fisheries data at the microwave transmission site. We request NURC support in the form of four divers and dive equipment (tanks, air, NITROX, etc.) for 4 dive days (plus 3 travel days) to deploy cameras at 3 — 4 research sites off Savannah, Georgia and Charleston, South Carolina. The support would include transportation (3 days) to and from (and between) the operations base at SkIO (two dive days) and MRD (two dive days) and meal expenses for the divers. The SCDNR will provide the dive vessel and housing in the SkIO dormitories and at MRD in Charleston. Dates for field operations in spring 2005 may be limited to before mid-June, based on the availability of SkIO dormitory space.
© 2003 All Rights Reserved | | maintained by Aaron Alexander (alexandera@uncw.edu)