Typically
under-represented by scuba-led surveys, sharks and rays are a conservation
priority given their simultaneous ecological and economic value as a living
resource. During October 2016 the Environmental Research Institute Charlotteville
(www.eric-tobago.org) conducted a
series of baited remote underwater video surveys in northeast Tobago to gather
data on species and relative abundance of sharks and rays.
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| Above: Caribbean reef shark recorded on a BRUV (c) ERIC |
This data is
intended to complement the data gathered by scuba-led underwater visual census of
coral reef communities conducted by the University of the West Indies, in order
to provide a holistic assessment of the coral reef resources of northeast
Tobago and inform emerging conservation management measures under the national
IFPAM project.
The
Environmental Research Institute Charlotteville has collaborated with Global
FinPrint (www.globalfinprint.org) since
early 2016 to conduct BRUV surveys of shark and ray populations throughout
Tobago, and to contribute to improved conservation management of these keystone
species on local, regional and international scales. In order to maximise the
awareness and outreach of this project in Tobago, surveys have at various times
engaged as participants and observers, members of the ERIC community based
field technician team as well as a number of Fisheries Officers.
Read more about
the survey at this link.
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