TrapCam: an inexpensive camera system for studying deep‐water animals

Abstract

Summary1. Behavioural research in deep water (>40 m depth) has traditionally been expensive and logistically challenging, particularly because the light and sound produced by underwater vehicles make them unsuitably disruptive. Yet, understanding the behaviour of deep-water animals, especially those targeted by exploitation, is important for conservation. For example, understanding interactions between animals and deep-water fishing gear could inform the design of devices that minimize bycatch. 2. We describe the 'TrapCam', a self-contained, high-definition video system that requires neither the support of a vessel once deployed nor special equipment to deploy or retrieve. This system can record 13-h videos at 1080p resolution and is deployable on any substrata at depths of up to 100 m. The system is inexpensive (<$3000 USD), versatile and suited to the study of animal behaviour at depths inaccessible to scuba divers. 3. We evaluate the performance and cost effectiveness of TrapCam and analyse videos retrieved from pilot deployments to observe spot prawn (Pandalus platyceros) traps at 100 m depth. Preliminary analyses of animal-prawn trap interactions yield novel insights. We provide future directions for researchers to use this type of camera system to study deep water-dwelling species around the world.

Use of underwater video to assess freshwater fish populations in dense submersed aquatic vegetation

“…Increasingly, marine studies utilise underwater video cameras (UVC) as a means to obtain count data and behaviour of fish communities as these methods present a viable, non-lethal alternative to traditional fish sampling techniques useful in a variety of habitats (Priede and Merrett 1998;Cappo et al 2004;Sheehan et al 2010;Favaro et al 2012). Currently, the use of UVC to sample fish in freshwater ecosystems has been limited to behavioural and species richness studies, not population-level analyses or evaluations of their utility in submersed aquatic vegetation habitats (Chidami et al 2007;Martin and Irwin 2010;Ebner and Morgan 2013).…”

A field-based investigation of behavioural interactions between invasive green crab (Carcinus maenas), rock crab (Cancer irroratus), and American lobster (Homarus americanus) in southern Newfoundland

“…We collected approximately 663 h of underwater video footage across 17 deployments. Following the field study, we scored the videos manually, following protocols described in previous literature (Favaro et al, 2012;Jury et al, 2001;Meintzer, Walsh & Favaro, 2017). Specifically, we recorded the following quantitative parameters for lobster, rock crab and green crab: (1) the number, direction and duration of entry attempts as well as the proportion of those entries that were successful versus failed, (2) the number, direction and duration of exits from the trap, (3) the time spent feeding on the bait, (4) the number and duration of interspecific aggression events, and (5) the number and duration of predation events.…”

Peer Review #3 of "A field-based investigation of behavioural interactions between invasive green crab (Carcinus maenas), rock crab (Cancer irroratus), and American lobster (Homarus americanus) in southern Newfoundland (v0.2)"

“…Following the field study, we scored the videos manually, following protocols described in previous literature (Favaro et al, 2012;Jury et al, 2001;Meintzer et al, 2017). Specifically, we recorded the following quantitative parameters for lobster, rock crab and green crab: (1) the number, direction and duration of entry attempts as well as the proportion of those entries that were successful versus failed, (2) the number, direction and duration of exits from the trap, (3) the time spent feeding on the bait, (4) the number and duration of interspecific aggression events, and (5) the number and duration of predation events.…”