It is virtually impossible to achieve legislative protection for a species for which there is no sufficient data, and the sheer size of the ocean and the expense of traditional research methods means that this is the case for the majority of marine creatures. An example is the status of shark species on the IUCN Red List; sharks have long held a fascination for scientists and laypeople, and yet the list categorizes 46 percent of elasmobranch species as data deficient. It is estimated that if further research were done on those data-deficient species, at least 21 of the 209 would be re-classified as Endangered or Critically Endangered. These classifications are key, because they provide a scientific basis for international protection like that afforded by CITES, thereby offering a real chance for dwindling numbers to recover. Research and data collection are therefore vital to the success of marine conservation efforts worldwide.
Historically, research methods for all marine species were usually invasive, often to the point of being lethal. If we continue to use sharks as an example, one of the most common methods of data collection was long-line fishing. Baited and hooked lines would be set with the express purpose of catching sharks, which could then be examined in an attempt to conduct research. These examinations often took place posthumously, but even when the sharks were returned to the ocean alive, the stress caused by removal from their natural environment often took its toll. Then, the argument that the death of an individual animal was an acceptable price to pay for information that could help conserve the rest of the species was valid — nowadays, there simply aren’t enough of these creatures left to justify mortalities in the name of research.
It is time to focus instead on less invasive methods of data collection, such as simple behavioral observation, certain types of tagging, or sample-collection techniques like those used by the Foundation for the Protection of Marine Megafauna in Mozambique, whereby parasites are gleaned for evaluation from the skin of living whale sharks.
One of the most successful, and widely used, methods of non-invasive data collection is underwater photography. The progress of technology, especially in the last few years, has made underwater photography accessible to most divers, enabling members of the public to contribute to scientific efforts. There are multiple uses for photography and videography in marine research, two of which I experienced firsthand while volunteering on conservation projects in South Africa. For the first, we used two laser beams mounted 3 feet apart on either side of a camera housing to provide reference points for measurement. The pinpricks of light that appeared in the resulting photos allowed us to accurately estimate the size of the sand tiger sharks we were studying. The second method — and perhaps the most common use for underwater photography as a data collection tool — was photo identification, a hugely valuable concept, as it allows us to recognize and subsequently monitor individual animals. By comparing established individuals to newly sighted ones, it is possible to get an idea of population size in a specific area, and also to begin to understand behavioral and migration patterns. It is possible to discover where individuals rank in a hierarchy, and in places where a species is seasonal, it allows us to recognize recurring visitors year after year. Photo identification works best for species with uniquely distinct markings; successful projects include those conducted using the spot patterns on whale sharks and sand tigers, the markings on the undersides of manta rays, the stripe patterns of tiger sharks and the distinct fin shapes of great whites, orcas and several species of dolphin. There are several online databases, such as whaleshark.org, that encourage civilian divers to contribute images to existing photo identification libraries, while free software like Interactive Individual Identification System (I3S) makes accurate pattern comparisons possible. There are photo-identification projects all over the world, and most actively seek the assistance of willing volunteers.
The only downsides to using photography as a research tool are that the use of strobes and flashes can cause unnecessary discomfort to photographic subjects, as can the proximity of overzealous photographers. It is important to ensure that this method of data collection remains as noninvasive as possible; if used correctly, underwater photography can be the perfect way for non-scientists to get involved in ocean conservation. Most importantly, it can be a key tool in providing the information so desperately needed in order to protect the vast majority of marine species currently classified as Data Deficient.
