Fish and benthic surveys in intermediate and deeper waters of Ningaloo Marine Park, Western Australia, using baited remote underwater video stations (BRUVS (TM))

A total of 18 BRUVS sets were made offshore from Mandu Mandu, Point Cloates and Maud Point in depths ranging from 66-96 metres. Most of the sets were made where the habitats in the immediate field of view were flat sediments, with or without visible bioturbation from the activities of small burrowing animals. All three sets at Mandu Mandu were in flat, sandy habitats. Three of the six sets made off Point Cloates had significant cover of benthic sponges, fan and whip gorgonians, and other biotic or abiotic structures. Only two of the nine sets made offshore from Maud Point had such cover, and it was much sparser in the field of view of the cameras. Most taxa were identified to species level, with the notable exception of the very small juveniles of threadfin breams (Nemipterus sp.), and the small (