ABUV

Auto-release Baited Underwater Video

Among FjordStrong’s suite of non-destructive surveying solutions is the Auto-Release Baited Underwater Video (ABUV), our patented marine wildlife recording system. Similarly to the BRUVs, ABUVs work by attracting marine wildlife from the wider area into view of its cameras, however, bait is released onto the seafloor instead of being retained. This approach facilitates the collection of feeding behaviours and detailed observations of species interactions making them well suited to ecological assessments within fisherires context.

  • Deployment

    ABUVs can be assembled rapidly onboard even a small boat, thereby maximising deck space. Sensors are syncronised and the bait box is loaded. Once attached to a float, ABUVs can be safely deployed by hand with as little as 2 people.

    Step
    1

  • Release, Record, Repeat

    Upon contact with the seabed, ABUVs release the bait into the field of view. The system is left recording on the seabed for 1.5 hours, a time period which has been scientifically proven to be the most efficient duration for observing ~95% of the species in a set area. During this time, other deployments can be made in the survey site.

    Step
    2

  • Retrieval and Validation

    The ABUV is retrieved and dismantled on board to save space. Footage is checked to ensure valid deployment criteria have been met. All footage is transferred to a secure harddrive.

    Step
    3

  • Analysis

    Video data is analysed using specialist software, alongside our expert marine biologist team. Analyses can include lists of the species present in the area along with abundance, length and biomass estimates for each species. Biodiversity indices are calculated in addition to information on ecological interactions.

    Step
    4

  • Reporting

    This data is then used to generate a specialised report for determining baseline biodiversity and presence of critical habitats or marine features. Where required, complementary data is collected and incorporated into the analysis to provide reliable and informative assessments in addition to identifying ecological vulnerabilities and possible mitigation strategies.

    Step
    5

  • Follow-up Monitoring

    In many cases, follow up monitoring is required. This allows the long term effects of a project to be fully documented, such as the effectiveness of MPAs or the longer term impacts of an introduced structure.

    Step
    6