Baited Remote Underwater Video Systems (BRUVS)

In early May, our Research Team aided the Blue Economy Research Institute(BERI) in conducting BRUVS surveys within and around the Curieuse and Ile Cocos Marine Parks. The Baited Remote Underwater Video Systems comprise of a metal frame with two GoPros on one end and a bait canister on the other. They are deployed underwater for an hour, during which they capture video footage of the diverse marine species attracted to the bait. This data provides valuable insights that would otherwise remain unrecorded through traditional in-person surveys.

Later, the team meticulously analyses the footage to document species diversity and abundance. According to our Research Scientist, the highlight of the trip was seeing footage of a critically endangered Guitarfish (‘Vyolan’ in Creole) from within the Curieuse Marine Park”.