BRUVS (TM) - Fish and Benthic survey of Mackay region Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Seabed Project Cruise 2 2003-11-22 to 2003-12-08

The dataset comprises 7019 individuals from 109 species of fishes, sharks, rays and sea snakes observed at around Mackay region Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Seabed Project Cruise 2 using 100 baited remote underwater video stations (BRUVS(TM)). 805 images were captured from these cameras.

Approximately 3500 of the best images from all BRUVS (TM) projects are stored in a reference library.

Data recorded concern:

• classification of the habitat in the field of view (topography, sediments, benthos)
• the identity of fish and CAABCODES
• their time of arrival
• their behaviour (8 categories, including feeding on the bait)
• their maturity (adult or juvenile)
• their relative abundance (as MaxN = the maximum number visible at one time, or distinguishable at different times as separate individuals e.g. much larger/smaller, male/female)
• the time elapsed before MaxN and feeding occurs.

A custom interface has been developed by AIMS staff, using Microsoft Access, for reading and analysis of BRUVS(TM) tapes.