Luisa Suarez | Development of a fish assemblage baseline and trophic level structure using Baited Remote Underwater Video (BRUV) sampling in Isla Grande, Cartagena Colombia.

MSc in Marine Science & Climate Change

Image of Luisa Suarez | Development of a fish assemblage baseline and trophic level structure using Baited Remote Underwater Video (BRUV) sampling in Isla Grande, Cartagena Colombia.

Research Project Overview

My research project aimed to use Baited Remote Underwater Video (BRUV), to develop a baseline of the fish assemblages found in Isla Grande, Colombia. I investigated the impacts of the artisanal fisheries sector on the fish stocks and looked at trends in the overall health of the marine ecosystem. The study also included a survey that was aimed at fisherman for the purpose of enhancing the results obtained in the video footage. The uses of BRUVs as a sampling method has become very popular in recent years and this is the reason why I used it for my research-based project. The BRUVs method offered me many beneficial characteristics such as accessibility and ease of replication which came in handy when doing research abroad. The deployments of the BRUVs showed that in the area of study there was heterogeneity of habitats which added a level of complexity to my research and provided results that agreed with those seen in the literature review from the nearby region.

What type of research has it involved and what skills have you learned?

The research involved the development of a literature review which was transformed into a critical review then a synthesis grouping all the information gathered. For the use of BRUVs, I attended workshops where I learned how to build the basic BRUV design that would be used in my research and that I would have to replicate abroad. The data collection phase strengthened my free diving techniques as I had to manually place the BRUV frames on the seafloor at depths ranging from 4 to 6 meters in depth. Surveys were conducted in three different locations and for this component my interpersonal skills were enhance and I learned to have more patience, especially when it comes to working on an Island where life tends to move slower, and deliverables are reached at a slower pace. For the annotations of the BRUV video footage, I learned a new skill using the BIIGLE platform to identify and count the different species recorded on video. The used of BIIGLE helped me to learn the names and physical characteristics of Caribbean fish species, a skill useful in future jobs. The analysis of the data was also important as it enhanced my knowledge of R-Studio and PRIMER platforms. Overall, the project was enriching and enhanced my time management skills and research skills to provide the acquired results.

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WERE THERE ANY PARTNERS/ STAKEHOLDERS ON YOUR PROJECT? 

I collaborated with Marko Tosic, a researcher, and Project Manager of the BASIC project Cartagena who was my second supervisor and my main connection to the local community of Isla Grande, in Cartagena Colombia.

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WHY SHOULD THE PUBLIC KNOW ABOUT THIS TOPIC?

Baseline studies are very important as they provide a foundation for future research. This research project allowed the local community of Isla Grande in Cartagena to have a scientific based report that can be used for comparisons in the future or as a base for the location of Marine protected areas. This project aimed to involve the local community and to empower them to create a sense of ownership that would allow for the development of rules and regulations set by the local community that will be strongly upheld.  The public should know about this project because BRUV has proven to be a method that can be easily replicated in other regions, and it is relatively cost effective making it more accessible to researchers around the world.

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WHAT IS THE WIDER IMPACT OF YOUR RESEARCH?

Baseline surveys have a wider impact for the local communities that depend on the goods and services provided by the marine ecosystem, the fisheries sector is greatly impacted by the knowledge of fish stocks and the assemblages of fish species across a region. It is important to understand the pressures that are placed on the marine ecosystem and to detect where they are coming from to be able to have quick responses that allow for long term sustainability of the fishing grounds and the overall health of the ecosystem.

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COMMENTS FROM HEAD OF SCHOOL

Luisa’s research aimed to characterise fish biodiversity and ascertain fish assemblages and trophic levels across several sites with a view of baseline evidence for a sustainable fishery. She employed BRUVs (Baited Remote Underwater Videos) surveys and as well gauging artisanal fishermen perception of fish stocks and practices.

The research project phase teaches students critical thinking and problem-solving skills framed under a research topic. We are especially proud of Luisa as she was able to successfully undertake her research in her native Colombia and was able to blend both field-based research with her desk-based literature review component. The results of this research will be fundamental to understanding ecosystem functioning and health of the marine environment.

We thank Marko Tosic and Lavinia, the leader of the community council of Rosario Islands as well as Juan Carlos (local fisherman) for supporting the research.

Dr Awantha Dissanayake,
Head of School (Marine & Environmental Sciences)