First fish fauna assessment in the Fernando de Noronha Archipelago with BRUVS: Species catalog with underwater imagery

A groundbreaking fish fauna assessment of the Fernando de Noronha Archipelago, a UNESCO World Heritage Site off northeastern Brazil, reveals remarkable species richness with 66 distinct fish species recorded using non-destructive Baited Remote Underwater Video Systems (BRUVS). This method avoids biases from traditional catch or visual census techniques, providing an unbiased inventory of marine ichthyofauna. The study documented a diverse assemblage, including five elasmobranch species and large predatory fish such as barracudas, groupers, and snappers, from 81 underwater video samples. Additionally, the research cataloged 4,398 individuals across four benthic habitat types, offering valuable insights into the ecological dynamics of this protected marine environment.

Schmid, K., Silva, F. R. M. d., Santos, B. J. V. d., Bezerra, N. P. A., Garla, R. C., & Giarrizzo, T. (2020). First fish fauna assessment in the Fernando de Noronha Archipelago with BRUVS: Species catalog with underwater imagery. Biota Neotropica, 20(4). https://doi.org/10.1590/1676-0611-bn-2020-1014