Ancillary data from animal-borne cameras as an ecological survey tool for marine communities

Abstract Underwater visual surveys represent an essential component of coastal marine research and play a crucial role in supporting the management systems. However, logistical financial considerations can limit availability survey data some While biologging camera tag devices are being attached to increasing diversity animals collect behavioral information about focal species, ancillary imagery collected also be used analytical techniques developed for diver-based surveys. We illustrate this approach by extracting from shark-borne deployments focused on behavior White shark ( Carcharodon carcharias) off Gansbaai, South Africa, Grey Reef Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos) within Chagos Archipelago. Within giant kelp forest environment Gansbaai we could determine spatial density thali underlying substrate composition. coral reef environment, animal-borne video allowed us approximate percent type benthic cover, as well growth form genus corals down upper mesophotic zone. enumerated fish species-level abundance over flat wall environments. established dive-survey methods analyze found results broadly comparable two systems studied. Our work illustrates broad applicability data, which is analogous quality analysis community frameworks. As tags associated technologies continue develop adapted new environments, utilising these have wide-ranging applications maximise overall cost–benefit ratio deployments.