Stereo-BRUVS Technology Deployed for First Time in Aldabra Marine Monitoring
VICTORIA, Seychelles — The Seychelles Islands Foundation (SIF) has, for the first time in the Aldabra Reef Monitoring (ARM) Programme’s 10-year history, employed stereo camera systems for its baited remote underwater video system (BRUVS) programme. The advancement was made possible through a partnership with the University of Seychelles (UniSey) and the South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (SAIAB).
The inclusion of stereo-BRUVS this year in SIF’s ARM programme allows for more detailed data collection and analysis of fish species within the World Heritage Site. Stereo-BRUVS use two cameras mounted on either end of a frame that both focus on a bait canister which attracts various species to the camera’s location. The camera and bait system is attached to a rope that connects to a buoy on the sea surface, so the system can easily be recovered after an hour of filming. In addition to information on fish species diversity and abundance, the technology enables the use of specialised software to measure the length of fish captured in the videos, returning valuable information about the life stage and biological mass at each site.
Quick scans have already revealed an abundance of sharks — including lemon sharks, nurse sharks and grey reef sharks — as well as occasional sightings of tiger sharks, large groupers and other charismatic species. The introduction of stereo-BRUVS marks a significant leap forward in fisheries monitoring and management, not only within Seychelles’ exclusive economic zone but throughout the broader African region. UniSey has also provided significant training on the use of the technology over the last three years, including video analysis and fish identification workshops in collaboration with Ocean Life Science.
