Ocean camera network launched to protect wildlife in UK Overseas Territories
A network of of underwater camera systems, known as baited remote underwater video systems (BRUVS) are deployed across 10 UK Overseas Territories with the aim of protecting marine wildlife. The network represents the world's largest ocean wildlife monitoring system. The company behind the technology, Blue Abacus, partners with Community Jameel, the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation and the Monégasque Association for the Protection of Nature for monitoring of Mediterranean marine wildlife through the initiative BRUVS Monaco.
Co-founder of Blue Abacus, Jessica Meeuwig, says of the wide-reaching research efforts, “The world’s tunas, sharks and large reef fish continue to decline in numbers and this trend must be reversed. This programme will give decision makers the evidence they need to act decisively in support of their blue economies.”
A network of underwater camera rigs is being rolled out across UK Overseas Territories to help protect wildlife under the waves.
The network, which the Government said was the first of its kind and the world’s largest ocean monitoring system to protect wildlife, is part of the UK’s Blue Belt programme of marine protected areas around the globe.
The camera systems, known as baited remote underwater video systems (BRUVS) will be deployed in the Caribbean, South Atlantic, Indian, Pacific and Southern Oceans, with project partner Blue Abacus, which is based in Australia.
They will be used to monitor wildlife in 10 Overseas Territories: Pitcairn, Ascension, St Helena, Tristan da Cunha, British Indian Ocean Territory, Cayman Islands, the British Virgin Islands, Anguilla, Montserrat and within the British Antarctic Territory.