Marine Biodiversity Survey

Marine surveys were initially done for the Marine Biodiversity Assessment project developed in collaboration with SeyCCAT, GIF and UniSey. One of the aims of this project was to develop a methodology that could have been shared nationally and internationally to be able to compare data on a wider scale.

Our team has been busy with training, organizing fix transects along the area that will be surveyed and collecting data to have a fix procedure and guideline for upcoming years of marine surveys.

What is to come:

             Fregate Island intends to run the marine survey periodically

             Data analysis & statistics to gain an overview of the health of the sea around Fregate Island

             Work on publication

The WHY:

             to understand the health of the sea around Fregate Island

             to monitor the biodiversity (fish, corals, invertebrates, substrate)

             to understand how climate change affects the marine life & health of the ocean

             to understand if there is a parallel between health of land and sea

The HOW:

             Training: The team is trained to recognize different corals, fish, invertebrates, and substrates, as well as how to collect the data underwater.

             Placing fix transects: At the 6 different sites around Fregate Island, using buoys attached to ropes, to be able to survey the same area and compare the data more accurately.

            Regular monitoring: 2 times a year the 6 sites around Fregate Island are monitored and data is collected of its biodiversity (fish, corals, invertebrates, substrates)