THE FINS UNITED INITIATIVE
  • About TFUI
    • TFUI Origins >
      • About TFUI Founder Melissa
      • TFUI Officers
    • Take a Bite
    • Get Involved
    • FAQ
  • Bite Blog
  • Education
    • The Sharks >
      • Shark Anatomy
    • The Skates & Rays
    • The Chimaeras
    • Why Environments Matter
    • The Threats
    • Open Access >
      • Behind the Fins: Interview series
      • Bite into Research
      • Shark Bites: Book Recommendations
      • Sustainable Seafood Apps
  • Fins United
    • Shark Party Ideas
    • Little Fins Nursery
    • Big Fins Reef
  • Contact

Baited Remote Underwater Video Stations (BRUVS)

5/14/2017

 
Picture
Baited Remote Underwater Video Stations (BRUVS for short) are one of the newer technological devices being used to study fish communities and biodiversity patterns.

​Although a fairly recent marine device, they are becoming commonplace worldwide as a tool to survey fish sizes, abundance, and diversity. 
BRUVS consist of video cameras (sometimes GoPros) in PVC–acrylic housing held down by weight. At the end of the set up can be a mesh bag or crate filled with food to attract fish, sharks, rays, etc. Some people opt to not put food, so as to see the environment with little interference or influence as possible. 

PictureCREDIT GOES TO: NOAA Teacher at Sea Maria Madrigal
This method is more cost-efficient than using divers (and reduces the personal risk), allowing the video captured to create a permanent record of longer observations that have low observer bias. The stationary BRUVS are harmless to fish and the habitat, and allows for sampling to be done without impact, often attracting the curiosity of fish that are diver-shy. BRUVS can also be deployed in parts out of reach for divers, and with high definition video that can be replayed over and over again, precise and accurate ID and measurement of fish can be achieved. They are also used at night with lights.

Organisations often deploy many BRUVS across a large area, unless their efforts are looking at one specific environment. They usually have a surface marker float that can be easily identified and are picked up after a few hours of filming. The footage is then taken back to the office to be analysed. 

It’s not just fish surveying that BRUVS are good for! BRUVS provide detailed images of habitat types, and can monitor reefs, the effects of zoning (closure to fishing) and impacts of oil spills, seismic surveys, etc. 

Another use for videos… towed video camera
Not all cameras are BRUVS and stationary. Marine scientists also use high definition towed video cameras, where the camera is towed behind a boat at a pre-determined speed along a transect line (or, survey line). Scientists on board the ship can watch the seabed habitat video in real time, and often the camera will take still pictures at pre-determined intervals. This will then be analysed later to better describe habitats, map seabed biodiversity, and ID any species spotted.

ever heard of bruvs?

say hello!

you may also like:

Picture
LEMON SHARK
Picture
MELBOURNE SKATE
Picture
MARBLED GHOST SHARK

Comments are closed.

    Author

    TFUI Founder Melissa C. Marquez is author of all animal bios and "Behind the Fins" segments.
    ​
    A proud #LatinainSTEM, Marquez is a marine biologist who focuses on shark habitat use and movements; she is also a science communicator (follow her on Twitter) who focuses on diverse Chondrichthyan education and who focuses on the media coverage of sharks.
    You can learn more about her on her website.

    SEE MELISSA'S TEDx TALK HERE:

    Archives

    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016

    Subscribe to The Fins United Initiative's monthly newsletter.

    SEARCH BY CATEGORIES

    Picture
    SHARKS
    Picture
    SKATES &
    ​RAYS
    Picture
    CHIMAERA

    READER FAVORITES

    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture

    FOLLOW ALONG ON INSTAGRAM

    @finsunitedinitiative
    Picture
Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • About TFUI
    • TFUI Origins >
      • About TFUI Founder Melissa
      • TFUI Officers
    • Take a Bite
    • Get Involved
    • FAQ
  • Bite Blog
  • Education
    • The Sharks >
      • Shark Anatomy
    • The Skates & Rays
    • The Chimaeras
    • Why Environments Matter
    • The Threats
    • Open Access >
      • Behind the Fins: Interview series
      • Bite into Research
      • Shark Bites: Book Recommendations
      • Sustainable Seafood Apps
  • Fins United
    • Shark Party Ideas
    • Little Fins Nursery
    • Big Fins Reef
  • Contact