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What is Ecodive?
What is Ecodive?
The Eco-dive Project is a research group that focuses on the development of methods and innovative technology (biologging) designed to collect high frequency behavioural data. The phylosophy of the team is to employ the least invasive methods to collect the data, aiming that the anthropogenic impact on the animals is minimum.
The Eco-dive Project is a research group that focuses on the development of methods and innovative technology (biologging) designed to collect high frequency behavioural data. The phylosophy of the team is to employ the least invasive methods to collect the data, aiming that the anthropogenic impact on the animals is minimum.
On the video on the right, it is possible to observe the non-invasive tagging method which is used to tag individuals of Mobula tarapacana, the manta ray.
On the video on the right, it is possible to observe the non-invasive tagging method which is used to tag individuals of Mobula tarapacana, the manta ray.
Moreover, you get to see a baby manta ray kicking inside its mothers belly!
Moreover, you get to see a baby manta ray kicking inside its mothers belly!
Appearance of the project on BBC.
Appearance of the project on BBC.
The main targets of the project are the populations of manta rays and blue sharks in Azores, as well as their behaviour and habitat use to support the management of several activities such as recreational diving or fisheries.
The main targets of the project are the populations of manta rays and blue sharks in Azores, as well as their behaviour and habitat use to support the management of several activities such as recreational diving or fisheries.
Where are The Azores?
Where are The Azores?
The Azores archipielago is located in the middle of the Atlantic, (I invite you to explore using the map attached!) and it is consider a great spot for sighting megafauna: cetaceans, sharks and manta rays.
The Azores archipielago is located in the middle of the Atlantic, (I invite you to explore using the map attached!) and it is consider a great spot for sighting megafauna: cetaceans, sharks and manta rays.
The team is based on Horta, where they are affiliated affiliated with the Instituto do Mar, Okeanos-UAc Institute and the University of the Azores, in Horta.
The team is based on Horta, where they are affiliated affiliated with the Instituto do Mar, Okeanos-UAc Institute and the University of the Azores, in Horta.
Diving into my internship:
Diving into my internship:
Conducting the data analysis for a study focused on Mobula tarapacana using a non-invasive method: Observmobula system
Conducting the data analysis for a study focused on Mobula tarapacana using a non-invasive method: Observmobula system
Picture taken by the spy cam using observmobula system: One boat, 2 divers and 2 individuals of M. tarapacana can be appreciated.
Every summer, the waters of Azores get filled with Mobula tarapacana aggregations, attracting tourist from all over the world that aim to sight these beautiful animals! This has made the team wonder:
Every summer, the waters of Azores get filled with Mobula tarapacana aggregations, attracting tourist from all over the world that aim to sight these beautiful animals! This has made the team wonder:
- What is the pattern of abundance of Mobula tarapacana during the summer season.
- Do they have daily pattern of abundance.
- Does the absence or presence of divers and boats have an effect on their abundance.
How is the data gathered?
How is the data gathered?
A spy camera is placed at a 30m depth at the seamount Princesa Alice in Azores.
A spy camera is placed at a 30m depth at the seamount Princesa Alice in Azores.
The camera is pointing to the surface in order to capture all the water column.
The camera is pointing to the surface in order to capture all the water column.
After the deployment, the camera collects data through cycles of pictures or videos until the battery runs off. Then, the camera is retrieved, the data is extracted and it is ready for the next deployment.
After the deployment, the camera collects data through cycles of pictures or videos until the battery runs off. Then, the camera is retrieved, the data is extracted and it is ready for the next deployment.
This study has been conducted from 2016 until today, gathering data during the summer season since it is when the aggregations of M. tarapacana occur in Azores.
This study has been conducted from 2016 until today, gathering data during the summer season since it is when the aggregations of M. tarapacana occur in Azores.
How many individuals of M. tarapacana can you count on this picture?
How many individuals of M. tarapacana can you count on this picture?
What have I learnt?
What have I learnt?
Metadata analysis
Metadata analysis
One of the pitfalls of the study was the lack of information regarding the dates and times in the files (pictures and videos). To solve this problem and gain that information for the future statistical analysis, we recurred to the metadata. The amount of light available during the day is different, so we will expect values that fluctuate from the morning until the sunset. High values of ISO speed were expected at twilight periods, while the smaller values would be related to midday periods.
The software "BR's EXIFextracter" was used to extract the ISO speed and the exposure time into an excell sheet. Then this information was plot in order to have an overall idea of the time of the day of each file: Dorne, midday or dusk.
The notes from the team members that realized the deployments and the metatada information were used to date and time the files.
Extraction of metadata using BR's EXIFextracter into an excell sheet.
Extraction of metadata using BR's EXIFextracter into an excell sheet.
Plot of the ISO-speed values where it is possible to appreciate the fluctuation during the day
Plot of the ISO-speed values where it is possible to appreciate the fluctuation during the day
I have learnt how in science we must not give up on any data, since there might be actually a chance to get it as in this case. Furthermore, I have learnt to always add a time reference in studies like this one!
I have learnt how in science we must not give up on any data, since there might be actually a chance to get it as in this case. Furthermore, I have learnt to always add a time reference in studies like this one!
Pictures and videos analysis
Pictures and videos analysis
After analysing almost 92000 files from the season of 2018 (yes, that is the meaning of a large data base!), not only I have improved my knowledge about elasmobranchs' ecology, but also I have learnt experience regarding:
Fish Identification
Fish Identification
I have acquired this skill after having to identify several fish species that could appear on the frame, being the most common pelagic species like the barracudas (Sphyraena viridensis), amberjacks as the ones in the picture (Seriola sp), and jellyfishes.
The angle of the camera was an extra difficulty added to the identification process, since almost every time the fish could only be appreciated from underneath!
Seamount Ecology
Seamount Ecology
I have managed to increase my knowledge on a field that was not familiar to me before this internship: Seamounts' dynamics.
After the bibliograhpy revision and the data analysis, I find myself right know considering on getting involved in studies related to these hotspots of diversity!
The corona virus has forced me to conduct my internship online, missing the opportunity of engaging with my team and other research teams at the Institute. Nevertheless, it has allowed me to experience what working online feels like, fighting against all possible distractions that can be faced from working at home. I have managed to organize my workload independently and follow a schedule to accomplish my tasks.
To conclude, I would like to acknowledge my teammates from Ecodive, who have been highly supportive and communicative during my internship. I also would like to thank my supervisor Jorge Fontes for the opportunity he gave me to take part in their team, his constant support kept me motivated and valued through the whole internship.
Thank you very much for scrolling all the way here!
Thank you very much for scrolling all the way here!
If you have any doubts or would like to get more information about the job I have conducted or the Ecodive project, please do not hesitate on contacting me: jorgemanuel.morenomendoza@imbrsea.eu
If you have any doubts or would like to get more information about the job I have conducted or the Ecodive project, please do not hesitate on contacting me: jorgemanuel.morenomendoza@imbrsea.eu
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