Monitoring Pelagic Macrofauna Using Computer Vision-Assisted Underwater Video in an Indigenous Protected and Conserved Area

The Tsawout Nation has partnered with a local seaweed farming company, Cascadia Seaweed, to employ a suite of techniques for both marine monitoring and mariculture within a recently-established Marine Protected Area (QEN’T) in their traditional territory. A primary goal and next step for QEN’T is to monitor ecologically and/or culturally important marine animals, and to measure the potential impact of kelp habitats (a kelp forest and seaweed farm) on marine animals. The study will use underwater video cameras to monitor these animals, and compare those data to oceanographic data (e.g. salinity) and kelp growth over the course of a year.

Faculty Supervisor:

Francis Juanes

Student:

Partner:

STAUWT First Nation

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Public administration

University:

University of Victoria

Program: