Résumé:
Primary school students in St. Charles, Monaco, are using an innovative underwater camera system to learn about carnivorous marine life.
Histoire complète :
Monaco’s St. Charles school’s 4th-grade students, responsible for the Marine Educational Area (AME), are learning to recognize carnivorous fauna through an innovative technology called Baited Remote Underwater Video System (BRUVS). The BRUVS system consists of two high-resolution waterproof cameras that record in stereoscopy, allowing for the evaluation of fish sizes. The cameras are directed towards a box containing bait, primarily sardines, attached to an arm. An adjustable vertical axis in the center of the system enables it to be lowered and raised using a rope connected to a surface buoy.
This device allows for the observation of marine life in its natural habitat without the need for scientific dives. The BRUVS system does not scare the fish but instead attracts carnivores using the bait, facilitating species identification and behavior observation. The gathered recordings are then analyzed using specialized software to measure individual sizes and estimate their weight.
The “apprentice researchers” have the opportunity to discover the biodiversity of their AME through this innovative technology. To support their work, the AMPN team installed cameras at four sites, ranging from 20 to 40 meters in depth, accessible only by the sea. These additional recordings provide a quick way to showcase the diversity of fish populations.
In turn, the students have deployed the BRUVS system at a shallower depth in the Rainier III dam solarium. Following detailed instructions and equipped with life jackets, they meticulously followed the scientific protocol: wearing gloves, preparing the bait (a mixture of sardines and fish oil), filling the bait boxes, attaching them to the BRUVS, and collecting contextual data.
This initiative demonstrates Monaco’s commitment to marine education and ensuring that students have hands-on learning experiences that promote environmental awareness and scientific curiosity.
Source:
montecarloin
