View Instrument

SCUBA divers conduct towed-diver surveys to assess relatively large areas of reef habitat and to survey large-bodied reef fishes. This method involves towing two divers (one fish, one benthic) behind a small surface craft that is moving at a velocity of 1-2 mph. The fish towboard is equipped with a digital videocamera that is pointing in the forward-looking direction to document the fish associated with the reef. The fish diver maneuvers the towboard on which the camera is mounted and records selected data pertaining to fish using datasheets mounted on the towboard. The towboard is also equipped with a SEABIRD sensor that records depth and water temperature every 5 seconds. A GPS unit on the surface tow vessel records the trackline over which the divers are being towed.