Benthic surveys in intermediate and deeper waters of Ningaloo Marine Park, Western Australia, using towed video (Towvid)

Surveys were conducted at three sites adjacent to existing State marine sanctuary zones, Mandu Mandu, Point Cloates, and Point Maud. At each of the sites, 15 video tows were undertaken at various depth ranges. GPS position for transect start and endpoint was recorded and effort was made to maintained the camera 1 metre from the seabed floor where interference from environmental conditions e.g. currents, did not occur. Video surveys were approximately 300 meters in length.Analysis for each transect focused on habitat type, and noted the relative abundance of dominant organisms on substrate type. This was recorded by an observer watching the live video feed during the survey. Each site was categorised by depth, benthic communities and seabed terrain. Site trends were compared between all three areas and found areas of high and unique biodiversity.