Assessment of Ichthyofaunal Biodiversity in Gansbaai, South Africa using Baited Remote Underwater Video (BRUV) Methodology
(2023) BION03 20221Degree Projects in Biology
- Abstract
- This study represents the first large scale assessment of the ichthyofaunal biodiversity in Gansbaai, Souuth Africa by using BRUV (Baited Remote Underwater Video) in the bay. Results show that the bay supports a diverse and abundant fish community, including several species that are of conservation concern. Forty species from 22 families were recorded across 89 sample sites across three habitat types. Teleosts dominated the area and corresponded to 65 % of the diversity and chondrichthyans accounted for 25 %. The deployment sites were investigated in autumn and varied from 4 to 37m in depth with a mean surface temperature of 14 degrees. Diversity (H´) was highest in reef and lowest in sand habitats. Depth and habitat, in combination with... (More)
- This study represents the first large scale assessment of the ichthyofaunal biodiversity in Gansbaai, Souuth Africa by using BRUV (Baited Remote Underwater Video) in the bay. Results show that the bay supports a diverse and abundant fish community, including several species that are of conservation concern. Forty species from 22 families were recorded across 89 sample sites across three habitat types. Teleosts dominated the area and corresponded to 65 % of the diversity and chondrichthyans accounted for 25 %. The deployment sites were investigated in autumn and varied from 4 to 37m in depth with a mean surface temperature of 14 degrees. Diversity (H´) was highest in reef and lowest in sand habitats. Depth and habitat, in combination with temperature, had a large influence on species composition. These findings highlight the importance of continued research and conservation efforts in the region. By implementing a Marine Protected Area (MPA) in Gansbaai, the local fauna would be able to thrive, which in turn would be beneficial for the ecotourism industry. (Less)
- Popular Abstract
- The Hidden World Beneath: Unveiling Gansbaai’s Diverse Fish Species with BRUV Technology
Gansbaai is a small fishing village in the southern South Africa and is dubbed as the “Great White Capital of the World”, due to the large amount of great white sharks. This makes Gansbaai home to one of the world’s largest eco-tourism when it comes to shark cage diving. With a small rock island which houses more than 50 000 cape fur seals, it is no wonder the area has so many great white sharks coming by for a tasty snack. It is therefore safe to say that the water is full of sharks, but never have there has been a full-scale assessment of what other species reside in the area.
This study investigated the fish biodiversity in the bay and... (More) - The Hidden World Beneath: Unveiling Gansbaai’s Diverse Fish Species with BRUV Technology
Gansbaai is a small fishing village in the southern South Africa and is dubbed as the “Great White Capital of the World”, due to the large amount of great white sharks. This makes Gansbaai home to one of the world’s largest eco-tourism when it comes to shark cage diving. With a small rock island which houses more than 50 000 cape fur seals, it is no wonder the area has so many great white sharks coming by for a tasty snack. It is therefore safe to say that the water is full of sharks, but never have there has been a full-scale assessment of what other species reside in the area.
This study investigated the fish biodiversity in the bay and wanted to check the effect that habitat, depth and temperature had on the composition of species. To observe these factors, a method called Baited Remote Underwater Video system (BRUVs) was used, which uses bait to lure fish in the vicinity in of a camera. By counting each fish, an estimate of the species composition and abundance can be made. It is a non-invasive method that does not need the help of divers to film. Instead, a waterproof GoPro camera and some sardine bait are the only things needed to provide the informative data.
The results gathered from the footage showed that there are 40 unique fish species throughout the whole bay in different types of habitats and depths. Bony fish stood for most of the fish diversity, while sharks corresponded for the rest. Shallow reefs are the habitat were the most species could be found, as well as in areas where the water was warmer. Not as many species were found in kelp and sand habitats nor in the deeper areas. Out of the 40 species, more than 30 % of them are considered endangered or threatened according to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, which is a good enough reason to want to protect them for the future. Therefore, the main objective of the study is to provide a baseline for future research in Gansbaai bay, as well as provide the necessary data for Gansbaai to be put as a Marine Protected Area. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
http://lup.lub.lu.se/student-papers/record/9114543
- author
- Nyborg, Isak
- supervisor
- organization
- course
- BION03 20221
- year
- 2023
- type
- H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
- subject
- language
- English
- id
- 9114543
- date added to LUP
- 2023-05-15 14:28:29
- date last changed
- 2023-05-15 14:28:29
@misc{9114543,
abstract = {{This study represents the first large scale assessment of the ichthyofaunal biodiversity in Gansbaai, Souuth Africa by using BRUV (Baited Remote Underwater Video) in the bay. Results show that the bay supports a diverse and abundant fish community, including several species that are of conservation concern. Forty species from 22 families were recorded across 89 sample sites across three habitat types. Teleosts dominated the area and corresponded to 65 % of the diversity and chondrichthyans accounted for 25 %. The deployment sites were investigated in autumn and varied from 4 to 37m in depth with a mean surface temperature of 14 degrees. Diversity (H´) was highest in reef and lowest in sand habitats. Depth and habitat, in combination with temperature, had a large influence on species composition. These findings highlight the importance of continued research and conservation efforts in the region. By implementing a Marine Protected Area (MPA) in Gansbaai, the local fauna would be able to thrive, which in turn would be beneficial for the ecotourism industry.}},
author = {{Nyborg, Isak}},
language = {{eng}},
note = {{Student Paper}},
title = {{Assessment of Ichthyofaunal Biodiversity in Gansbaai, South Africa using Baited Remote Underwater Video (BRUV) Methodology}},
year = {{2023}},
}