SCUBA invertebrate sampling targets the density of specific, conspicuous, solitary and mobile invertebrates. Organisms are chosen due to the large abundance, economic value, or ecological value. Only targeted invertebrates greater than 2.5 cm are counted along a 30 x 2 m belt transects across two target depths, 12.5 and 20 meters. No write-ins are allowed.
Our SCUBA invertebrate sampling at Cape Falcon began in 2016, the year harvest restrictions began. Sampling attempts were made in 2015 but did not result in data collection due to poor visibility and challenging weather conditions. Sampling is conducted in the marine reserve and three comparison areas that represent varying levels of fishing pressure (see methods Appendix for additional information about comparison area selection). We conducted two years of sampling that are included in our analysis and report. Note, we were not able to successfully collect data in the comparison areas until 2017.
Data from SCUBA invertebrate monitoring efforts can be used to explore questions about invertebrate diversity, community composition and density. Questions about diversity and community composition can be used to compare across monitoring tools to understand tool bias or to validate trends seen across tools. This can further help us understand how the invertebrate communities at these sites are similar or different. Data on density enable us to explore changes over time; and whether these changes are similar both inside the reserve and outside in comparison areas. For all data our main focus is exploring trends by site and year.