Éditeur(s) : Springer
Résumé : We investigated the habitat use in green turtles exploiting a 13-ha multispecific seagrass meadow at Mayotte Island, south-western Indian Ocean. A phytoecological survey shows the occurrence of eight seagrass species, dominated by Halodule uninervis and Syringodium isoetifolium, distributed according to four distinct seagrass communities along the depth gradient. Direct underwater censuses show that green turtles occurred all over the meadow. Yet when community relative surface area was taken into account green turtles preferentially frequented the most seaward, biomass-richer S. isoetifolium-dominated community, suggesting that green turtles compensate for their intrinsically nutrient-poor herbivorous diet. Additionally, smaller (80 cm standard curved carapace length, SCCL) individuals also preferentially occurred in the most shoreward H. univervis-dominated community where no larger ([80 cm SCCL) individuals were sighted, suggesting habitat use is indicative of diet selection and may reflect size-specific food requirements and physiology.
Marine Biology (0025-3162) (Springer), 2010-12 , Vol. 157 , N. 12 , P. 2581-2590

Droits : 2010 Springer
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00018/12918/10201.pdf
DOI:10.1007/s00227-010-1520-7
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00018/12918/

Éditeur(s) : Université de la Nouvelle-Calédonie
Résumé : Estimating diversity and abundance of fish is fundamental for the understanding of community structure and dynamics of coral reefs. Observations are generally gathered using Underwater Visual Census (UVC). These informations can also be collected by underwater video techniques involving no diver and allowing a high spatial and temporal coverage. The first part of this PhD thesis is a review of publications using underwater video techniques between 1952 and 2012. The second part present two rotating video systems used to study the diversity of ichthyofauna and habitats in the lagoon of New Caledonia: the STAVIRO (for "STAtion VIdeo ROtative") and the MICADO (for "Module d’Imagerie Côtier, Autonome pour le Développement de l’Observation sous-marine"). The third part of this work is a comparison of these techniques with UVCs and an analysis of the “observer effect” for the rotating video techniques. The comparison between rotating video systems and UVC showed that: (i) fish community data collected by UVC and by STAVIRO differed significantly; (ii) species richness and density of large species were not significantly different between techniques; (iii) species richness and density of small species were higher for UVC; (iv) density of fished species was higher for STAVIRO; and (v) only UVC detected significant differences in fish assemblages structure across reef type. The comparison of fish counts obtained from the same videos by different observers showed that for a defined list of species, estimates of species richness and total abundance can be considered as similar between observers with sufficient experiences (> 6 months). The last part of this PhD is an application of rotating video techniques to the study of daily temporal variations of the ichthyofauna. Daily variations were observed depending on the time of day and the tidal state and typical patterns of variations have been described for some species groups. The outcomes of this work bring original insights of new techniques complementary to traditional techniques in order to enhance our understanding of the functioning and dynamic of coral reef.
L’estimation de la diversité et de l’abondance des espèces de poissons est fondamentale pour comprendre la structure des communautés et la dynamique des récifs coralliens. Les observations sont généralement obtenues par des recensements visuels en scaphandre autonome (UVC). Ces informations peuvent également être obtenues de manière originale grâce aux observations issues des techniques vidéo sous-marines modernes sans plongeur qui permettent des couvertures spatiales et temporelles accrues. La première phase de ce travail de thèse synthétise l’ensemble des travaux ayant été effectués avec des techniques vidéo entre 1952 et 2012. La seconde phase, présente deux systèmes vidéo rotatifs complémentaires, utilisés pour étudier la diversité de l’ichtyofaune et des habitats marins dans le lagon de Nouvelle-Calédonie : le STAVIRO (pour « STAtion VIdéo ROtative ») et le MICADO (pour « Module d’Imagerie Côtier, Autonome pour le Développement de l’Observation sous-marine »). La troisième phase de ce travail consiste à comparer ces systèmes vidéo aux UVC puis à examiner l’effet « observateur » inhérent aux techniques vidéo rotatives. Il résulte de cette étude que : (i) les observations des communautés de poissons par UVC et STAVIRO différaient significativement, (ii) la richesse spécifique et la densité des espèces de grande taille n'étaient pas significativement différentes entre les techniques, (iii) la diversité et la densité des espèces de petite taille étaient plus élevés avec les UVC; (iv) la densité des espèces pêchées était plus élevée avec les STAVIRO et (v) seuls les UVC ont détecté des différences de structure des assemblages en fonction du type de récif. L’étude de l’effet « observateur » a montré que sur une liste d’espèces définie, les dénombrements et les identifications des individus peuvent être considérées comme similaires entre observateurs ayant une expérience suffisante (> 6 mois). La dernière phase de ce travail a permis d’appliquer la technique MICADO à l’étude des variations temporelles de l’ichtyofaune d’un site corallien à l’échelle de la journée. Elle a permis de mettre en évidence des variations cycliques journalières en fonction de l’heure et de la marée et des « profils type » de variations ont pu être identifiés pour certains groupes d’espèces. Ce travail de thèse permet ainsi de participer au développement de nouvelles techniques d’observations complémentaires des techniques traditionnelles afin d’enrichir les connaissances du fonctionnement et de la dynamique des écosystèmes coralliens.

Droits : Université de la Nouvelle-Calédonie
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00189/30050/28536.pdf
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00189/30050/

Éditeur(s) : Elsevier Science Bv
Résumé : Underwater video techniques are increasingly used in marine ecology studies. Technological progress regarding video cameras, sensors (such as sounders), battery life and information storage make these techniques now accessible to a majority of users. However, diver-based underwater visual censuses, and catch and effort data, remain the most commonly used for observing coastal biodiversity and species. In this paper, we review the underwater video techniques that have been developed since the 1950s to investigate and/or monitor coastal biodiversity. Techniques such as remote underwater video, whether baited or not, diver-operated video and towed video are described, along with corresponding applications in the field. We then analyse the complementary of techniques, first from studies comparing video techniques with other observation techniques, whether video-based or not, and second by documenting their respective cost efficiencies. These findings are discussed with respect to current challenges in monitoring and investigating coastal biodiversity. Video should be more often considered and used, either in addition to or as an alternative to diver-based, fishing and acoustic techniques, as it may be particularly suited for monitoring coastal biodiversity in a variety of areas and on larger scales than hitherto and within an ecosystem-based approach to management and conservation.
Fisheries Research (0165-7836) (Elsevier Science Bv), 2014-06 , Vol. 154 , P. 44-62

Droits : 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00181/29274/27901.pdf
DOI:10.1016/j.fishres.2014.01.019
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00181/29274/

Éditeur(s) : Public Library Science
Résumé : Observing spatial and temporal variations of marine biodiversity from non-destructive techniques is central for understanding ecosystem resilience, and for monitoring and assessing conservation strategies, e.g. Marine Protected Areas. Observations are generally obtained through Underwater Visual Censuses (UVC) conducted by divers. The problems inherent to the presence of divers have been discussed in several papers. Video techniques are increasingly used for observing underwater macrofauna and habitat. Most video techniques that do not need the presence of a diver use baited remote systems. In this paper, we present an original video technique which relies on a remote unbaited rotating remote system including a high definition camera. The system is set on the sea floor to record images. These are then analysed at the office to quantify biotic and abiotic sea bottom cover, and to identify and count fish species and other species like marine turtles. The technique was extensively tested in a highly diversified coral reef ecosystem in the South Lagoon of New Caledonia, based on a protocol covering both protected and unprotected areas in major lagoon habitats. The technique enabled to detect and identify a large number of species, and in particular fished species, which were not disturbed by the system. Habitat could easily be investigated through the images. A large number of observations could be carried out per day at sea. This study showed the strong potential of this non obtrusive technique for observing both macrofauna and habitat. It offers a unique spatial coverage and can be implemented at sea at a reasonable cost by non-expert staff. As such, this technique is particularly interesting for investigating and monitoring coastal biodiversity in the light of current conservation challenges and increasing monitoring needs.
Plos One (1932-6203) (Public Library Science), 2012-02 , Vol. 7 , N. 2 , P. -

Droits : 2012 Pelletier et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00078/18879/16453.pdf
DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0030536
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00078/18879/

Éditeur(s) : Public Library Science
Résumé : Estimating diversity and abundance of fish species is fundamental for understanding community structure and dynamics of coral reefs. When designing a sampling protocol, one crucial step is the choice of the most suitable sampling technique which is a compromise between the questions addressed, the available means and the precision required. The objective of this study is to compare the ability to sample reef fish communities at the same locations using two techniques based on the same stationary point count method: one using Underwater Visual Census (UVC) and the other rotating video (STAVIRO). UVC and STAVIRO observations were carried out on the exact same 26 points on the reef slope of an intermediate reef and the associated inner barrier reefs. STAVIRO systems were always deployed 30 min to 1 hour after UVC and set exactly at the same place. Our study shows that; (i) fish community observations by UVC and STAVIRO differed significantly; (ii) species richness and density of large species were not significantly different between techniques; (iii) species richness and density of small species were higher for UVC; (iv) density of fished species was higher for STAVIRO and (v) only UVC detected significant differences in fish assemblage structure across reef type at the spatial scale studied. We recommend that the two techniques should be used in a complementary way to survey a large area within a short period of time. UVC may census reef fish within complex habitats or in very shallow areas such as reef flat whereas STAVIRO would enable carrying out a large number of stations focused on large and diver-averse species, particularly in the areas not covered by UVC due to time and depth constraints. This methodology would considerably increase the spatial coverage and replication level of fish monitoring surveys.
Plos One (1932-6203) (Public Library Science), 2014-01 , Vol. 9 , N. 1 , P. -

Droits : 2014 Mallet et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00170/28132/26352.pdf
DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0084344
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00170/28132/

Éditeur(s) : Elsevier Science Bv
Résumé : Monitoring fish and underwater habitats, particularly in and around marine protected areas (MPAs) requires non-destructive observation methods. This is generally achieved by divers conducting underwater visual censuses (UVC), but video-based techniques are now being used more often to observe underwater macrofauna and habitats. A comparison of these two techniques is relevant with the development of high-definition (HD) video, which constitutes a substantial improvement over previously available video resolutions at limited extra cost. We conducted a paired observation experiment involving both HD video and UVC in an MPA located in the New Caledonian lagoon, which is a highly diversified coral reef ecosystem. We compared three techniques for counting fish along 50 m x 4 m delineated strip transects: UVC and two video techniques in which the diver used either a straight trajectory (I-type transect) or a browsing one (S-type transect). The results showed that the proportion of fish that were not identified up to the species level did not exceed 3.3% in video observations versus 1.7% in UVC. The abundance and species richness were larger in UVC than in videos, and S-type transects detected more individuals and species than I-type transects. The average abundance and species richness observed by UVC were 1094 individuals and 69.7 species per transect respectively. In comparison with UVC. I-type and S-type video transects detected on average 56% and 61% of the abundance and 85% and 77% of the species richness seen by UVC respectively. Our results showed that, in comparison to UVC data recorded in situ, the post field analysis of HD video images provided representative observations of fish abundance and species diversity, although fewer species and individuals were detected. The advantages and shortcomings of each observation technique for monitoring fish assemblages, particularly in an MPA are discussed. HD video appears to be a cost-effective technique in terms of the human resources and time needed for field implementation. Overall, this study suggests that HD video-based techniques constitute an interesting complement to UVC, or an alternative when these cannot be implemented. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Fisheries Research (0165-7836) (Elsevier Science Bv), 2011-01 , Vol. 107 , N. 1-3 , P. 84-93

Droits : 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00031/14192/11470.pdf
DOI:10.1016/j.fishres.2010.10.011
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00031/14192/

Éditeur(s) : Pêche thonière et dispositifs de concentration de poissons, Caribbean-Martinique, 15-19 Oct 1999
Résumé : Approximately 4,000 petroleum (oil and gas) platforms exist in the northern Gulf of Mexico and form one of the world's most extensive de facto artificial reef systems. Collectively, these structures may comprise one of the largest fad (Fish Aggregating Device) arrays in the world, attracting surface and midwater pelagic fishes. The diverse composition of pelagic fish fauna at ngom platforms is described and includes valued species such as Thunnus albacares, Thunnus atlanticus, Coryphaena hippurus, Acanthocybium solandri, Rachycentron canadum, Seriola dumerili, Scomberomorus cavalla, and Decapterus punctatus. Petroleum platforms influence pelagic fishery resources and are an important component of the Gulf's commercial and recreational fishing industries. Reviewed literature revealed a sparsity of fundamental knowledge of densities, temporal and spatial occurrence, and fishing effort/catch rates of pelagic fishes at platforms. The role of Gulf petroleum platforms "as fads" is examined, possible mechanisms for aggregation are reviewed, and a synopsis of the author's preliminary findings on life history aspects of A. solandri and R. canadum from platforms is presented. It is proposed that platforms provide opportunities for the study of pelagic species to better understand the life history, ecology, behaviour, and habitat requirements of pelagic fishery resources in the Gulf of Mexico.

Droits : info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00042/15301/12633.pdf
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00042/15301/

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD
Résumé : International audience
The active selection of recent volcanic habitats by juvenile fish following a cyclone could explain the unusual mass-settlement of the Indian Ocean blacktip grouper Epinephelus oceanicus observed on 25 May 2006, few weeks after tropical storm Diwa on the latest lava flows of the Piton de la Fournaise volcano at Reunion Island. Following a cyclonic depression, shallow underwater habitats are devoid of resident fishes, including predators, favouring juvenile fish survival. Otherwise, the recent origin of the volcanic habitats, which vary in age, could facilitate the spatial segregation of adult and juvenile fish on the lava flows, reducing intraspecific competition and adult aggression toward juveniles. Regional characteristics of larval recruitment could also contribute to the infrequency of the described event; the isolated situation of the island would be expected to result in an average density of fish postlarvae 0.25 % to 1 % of that seen on some reefs in the Pacific. The supposed origin of juvenile groupers in the neighbouring island of Mauritius should encourage Reunionese managers to look beyond their own jurisdictions to adopt a collaborative approach to conservation of the entire connected network.
Environmental Biology of Fishes

hal-01306707
http://hal.univ-reunion.fr/hal-01306707
http://hal.univ-reunion.fr/hal-01306707/document
http://hal.univ-reunion.fr/hal-01306707/file/Mass-settlement%20of%20the%20Indian%20ocean%20black-tip%20grouper_hal.pdf
DOI : 10.1007/s10641-014-0303-2

Éditeur(s) : Oxford university press
Résumé : The response of fish assemblages to changes in protection status is a major issue for both biodiversity conservation and fishery management. In New Caledonia, the Abore reef marine reserve harbours more than 500 fish species, and has been subjected to changes in protection status since 1988. The present study investigates the impact of these changes on a wide subset of species (213), based on underwater visual counts collected before the opening and after the closure to fishing of this marine protected area (MPA). We analysed the spatial and temporal variability in fish assemblage attributable to protection status, explicitly considering habitat. To understand the successive responses of fish assemblage to fishing and protection, the assessment models included four criteria de. ning species groups that partition the fish assemblage: trophic regime, adult size, mobility, and interest for fishing. We could therefore identify the negative impact of opening the MPA to fishing on piscivores and highly mobile species. Surprisingly, target species were not affected more than non-target species. Model results were used to identify species groups that respond to fishing and protection. These results utilize fisheries-related criteria to provide new insight into the response of fish assemblages to protection from the perspective of MPA monitoring.
ICES Journal of Marine Science (1054-3139) (Oxford university press), 2009 , Vol. 66 , N. 1 , P. 170-179

Droits : 2009 ICES/CIEM. Oxford Journals
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/2009/publication-6130.pdf
DOI:10.1093/icesjms/fsn204
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00000/6130/