Boxfish Robotics at Marine Imaging Workshop 2024
The Marine Imaging Workshop is an important event for the marine science community, thats covers a wide range of topics, from image collection and processing to annotation and data management….
Scientists spot thousands of sharks with Boxfish ROV
IMAS scientists, while surveying Beagle Marine Park in the Bass Strait, discovered thousands of Port Jackson sharks resting on the seafloor using their Boxfish ROV.
In August 2024, the National Environmental Science Program (NESP-IMAS) released the news about the encounter with thousands of sharks during their re-survey mission at Beagle Marine Park in Bass Strait. The sharks were first seen during a survey six years ago, and this new survey aimed to assess changes in the park.
Dr. Jacquomo Monk, the voyage leader, reported that the sharks were tightly packed across the reef at a depth of 65 meters, as captured by their custom Boxfish ROV equipped with seven cameras. This gathering consisted exclusively of female Port Jackson sharks, raising further questions.
The survey, supported by the National Environmental Science Program and other grants, helps park managers evaluate the effectiveness of conservation efforts. Beagle Marine Park, managed by Parks Australia, protects diverse marine life, including over 60 species of sharks and fish.
