Using industry ROV videos to assess fish associations with subsea pipelines

摘要: Abstract Remote Operated Vehicles are routinely used to undertake inspection and maintenance activities of underwater pipelines in north-west Australia. In doing so, many terabytes geo-referenced video collected at depths, on a scale usually unobtainable for ecological research. We assessed fish diversity abundance from existing ROV videos along 2–3 km sections two Australia, one 60–80 m water depth the other 120–130 m. A total 5962 individual 92 species 42 families were observed. Both characterised by high commercially important fishes including: snappers (Lutjanidae) groupers (Epinephelidae). The presence thousands unidentifiable larval fish, addition juveniles, sub-adults adults suggests that may be enhancing, rather than simply attracting, stocks. prevalence complexity sponges shallower pipeline deepwater corals deeper had strong positive correlation with abundance. These habitats likely offer significant food source refuge but also invertebrates upon which feed. greater pipeline, higher both pipelines, associated unsupported (spans) appeared utilising spans as refuges. This study is first look potential value subsea shelf. While results suggest these appear habitat supports diverse fished species, further work, including off-pipeline surveys natural seafloor, required determine conclusively thereby inform discussions regarding implications decommissioning.