International Indian Ocean Science Conference(IIOSC)-2022

Dona Paula, Goa, India.
+91-0832- 2450327
iiosc2020[at]nio[dot]org

Summary of Abstract Submission

Abstract Submission No.	ABS-2022-06-0026
Title of Abstract	REFINING OUTPUTS FROM PAST IIOE2 EXPEDITIONS: THE WIO REGIONAL BENTHIC IMAGERY WORKSHOP
Authors	Tanya Magdeleen Haupt^*
Organisation	Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment
Address	Foreshore, Martin Hammerschlag Way, Forestrust, 2nd Floor Cape Town, Western Cape Province, South Africa Pincode: 8000 Mobile: 27825948168 E-mail: THaupt-Schuter@environment.gov.za
Country	South Africa
Presentation	Oral
Abstract	The Second International Indian Ocean Expedition (IIOE2) is an internationally renowned program with the ultimate objective of collaborating and building scientific capacity within the African community. As part of this initiative, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment (DFFE) hosted the 2017 and 2018 IIOE2 expeditions in Mozambique, Tanzania, and the Comoros to train individuals from the Western Indian Ocean (WIO) in a variety of marine disciplines. Participants on the benthic biodiversity team were introduced to traditional and more innovative methodologies such as benthic camera systems. The use of underwater imagery in benthic habitats has increased our understanding by allowing for the collection of descriptive and statistically robust data from shallow and deep habitats alike. Photographic evaluations of marine environments are an important research tool used by both scientists and industry, and the non-destructive nature allows for use in protected and inaccessible areas. Thus, the main goal of the Regional Benthic Imagery Workshop, hosted by the DFFE and sponsored by the MASMA Programme, was to provide information and training on how to use an underwater imagery platform to better understand benthic invertebrate communities and simultaneously sampled fish assemblages. The week-long virtual event was conducted between August 30 and September 3 in partnership with Scifest Africa and specialists from the region and beyond and drew 266 participants from countries within the WIO area, as well as neighboring African and Indian Ocean countries. Lessons, practical demonstrations, and discussion sessions covered the steps required to conduct underwater imagery research from survey design to data collection, processing and analyses, and also data management. A discussion session was devoted to participatory talks and topics covered the best practices for habitat classification on a regional scale, data challenges and overcoming these barriers, and developing collaborations and infrastructure. The outcomes: (i) An internationally attended regional workshop that reached a far wider audience than first proposed prior to Covid-19 (226 versus only 20!), (ii) Participants trained on the steps required to conduct underwater imager and minimize the technique's shortcomings by employing taxonomy and collections as a verification tool, (iii) A free online training resource consisting of recordings of each session. This digital legacy has the potential to reach many more marine researchers both regionally and globally, (iv) Step-by-step training videos of three camera systems available in English and French which can be used to teach employees or students, and is a first step in standardizing techniques among WIO institutes, and (v) A well-established network for benthic-image-based research within the WIO. Where to from here? From attendee⿿s live questions, an evident need exists for the continued development of sampling guidelines and best practice protocols, as well as locally relevant species identification resources and image databases. Our immediate steps are to produce a specimen occurrence and image observation database from the IIOE2 expeditions while building on the momentum established through this regional workshop and continuing to strengthen and build partnerships. Many institutes will lack the resources and infrastructure needed to exploit underwater imagery, but we've seen that a lack of resources may spur creativity and collaboration, allowing us to know more than we are capable of knowing on our own.