Use of baited remote underwater video (BRUV) and motion analysis for studying the impacts of underwater noise upon free ranging fish and implications for marine energy management.
Free-ranging individual fish were observed using a baited remote underwater video (BRUV) system during sound playback experiments. This paper reports on test trials exploring BRUV design parameters, image analysis and practical experimental designs. Three marine species were exposed to playback noise, provided as examples of behavioural responses to impulsive sound at 163-171dB re 1μPa (peak-to-peak SPL) and continuous sound of 142.7dB re 1μPa (RMS, SPL), exhibiting directional changes and accelerations. The methods described here indicate the efficacy of BRUV to examine behaviour of free-ranging species to noise playback, rather than using confinement. Given the increasing concern about the effects of water-borne noise, for example its inclusion within the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive, and the lack of empirical evidence in setting thresholds, this paper discusses the use of BRUV, and short term behavioural changes, in supporting population level marine noise management.
Institute of Estuarine and Coastal Studies (IECS), University of Hull, Hull HU6 7RX, United Kingdom. Electronic address: Louise.Roberts@hull.ac.uk.
Louise
L
Roberts
Institute of Estuarine and Coastal Studies (IECS), University of Hull, Hull HU6 7RX, United Kingdom.
Rafael
R
Pérez-Domínguez
Institute of Estuarine and Coastal Studies (IECS), University of Hull, Hull HU6 7RX, United Kingdom.
Michael
M
Elliott
D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000502:physiology*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D004867:Equipment Design; D005399:Fishes / Q000502:physiology*; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D009622:Noise; D058998:Remote Sensing Technology / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D012767:Ships; D014743:Videotape Recording / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*
Acoustic playback; Baited underwater camera; Behaviour; Impulsive noise; Marine energy; Underwater noise