Scientific research
Scientific
research
Since the creation of the Pangatalan Marine Protected Area in 2016, several scientific operations have been carried out thanks to our partners and their specific techniques. The marine biologists of Sulubaaï also implement the steady scientific monitoring on the marine ecosystems and the restoration sites.
Our goals
Better understanding of ecosystems
Being a scientific platform
Analyze the evolution of marine environments
Testing innovative biological monitoring techniques
Photogrammetry
Photogrammetry is a technique that makes three dimensional maps of a landscape by using the parallax of images obtained from different angles. Our partner Andromede Oceanologie has mastered and developed this technique on the reefs of Shark Fin Bay, in order to monitor their health. During the Sea Academy project, Andromede Oceanologie will monitor three sites of 150m2 within marine protected areas to observe their evolution in a protected environment.
Acoustic
Continuous passive listening of the reefs is used to assess the activity and health of these sites. Non-visible species can be identified by recognising certain sounds. Sound triangulation allows us to locate them and map the reef’s activity as well as human activity (boats, dynamite). Our partner, the Chorus Research Institute, has mastered and developed this technique, and as part of the Sea Academy project, Chorus will monitor several sites in Shark Fin Bay, in order to assess the health of the coral reefs.
Listening to marine animal sounds
PCC Post-larvae Capture, Culture, Release
The development cycle of coastal fish often include a pelagic phase: fish post-larvae have a mortality rate over 85% during the first week of coastal reef colonisation. In order to increase survival rates, our partner Ecocean is developing PCC techniques: capturing post-larvae at their most vulnerable stage and then releasing them into safe areas after they have grown for 2 to 3 months. This process increases reef fish populations. As part of the Sea Academy project, our team, trained by Ecocean, applies this technique to repopulate the Shark Fin Bay. Monitoring allows us to estimate the survival rate of the released fish and their migration in the bay.
Environmental DNA
The protocol involves taking small samples of filtered seawater from the study area and sending them to a genetic analysis laboratory, which analyses the DNA from the samples and identifies traces left by species for which the genome is already known. This method helps to identify the presence of non-visible species, and is an interesting complement to other techniques that are limited to identifying species during dives, by image analysis or by sound recording analysis.
Marine protected area monitoring
The Sulubaaï team set up monitoring in and around marine protected areas to assess the effect of protection. These follow-ups consist in particular of a count of fish, invertebrates and an evaluation of the coral cover. These regular, standard and low-tech monitoring are easily replicable. We work with local partners to standardize the monitoring of coral reefs in the region and ensure continuity of monitoring over the long term.