In a pioneering effort to explore the depths of Australia’s ocean floor, researchers have enlisted the help of an unexpected ally: sea lions. Equipped with lightweight cameras, these marine mammals are providing valuable insights into previously uncharted areas of the seabed, mapping regions that have long remained a mystery.
Australian scientists have taken an innovative approach to ocean exploration by mounting cameras on eight adult female Australian sea lions (Neophoca cinerea). These sea lions, known for their agility and adeptness in navigating various benthic habitats, have been fitted with GPS units and cameras, capturing nearly 90 hours of underwater footage. This groundbreaking project, detailed in the latest issue of “Frontiers in Marine Science”, represents a significant leap in our understanding of the ocean floor.
The challenge of mapping the ocean floor has traditionally relied on remotely operated robots. While these robots are capable of collecting valuable data, they come with high costs, specific operational requirements, and limitations in remote or offshore areas. To overcome these obstacles, researchers from The University of Adelaide and the South Australian Research and Development Institute turned to sea lions, whose natural behaviors align perfectly with the study’s goals.
The sea lions, sourced from the Olive Island and Seal Bay colonies on the South Australian coast, were equipped with the cameras and GPS units. This choice was strategic, as the researchers could recover the equipment a few days later when the sea lions returned to shore to care for their pups. Nathan Angelakis, a PhD student and the study’s first author, explained, “We deployed the instruments on adult females so we could recover the equipment a few days later when they returned to land to nurse their pups.”
The footage collected has been invaluable, allowing researchers to identify six distinct benthic habitats: macroalgae reef, macroalgae meadow, bare sand, sponge/sand, invertebrate reefs, and invertebrate boulder. Using machine learning models, the team was able to predict the types of habitats in areas adjacent to those covered by the sea lions, extending their mapping efforts across more than 5,000 square kilometers of the continental shelf.
Angelakis remarked on the impact of their findings: “The sea lions from both locations covered quite broad areas around the colonies. In our calculations, we kept the area in which we predicted habitats small to maximize the precision of our predictions. This allowed us to model benthic habitats across more than 5,000 square km of the continental shelf.”
This research not only provides a detailed map of benthic habitats but also has significant conservation implications. By mapping critical habitats for the endangered Australian sea lion, as well as for other species that depend on these environments, the study contributes to broader conservation efforts. The data collected helps in understanding and protecting the delicate ecosystems that these sea lions and other marine creatures inhabit.
The integration of camera technology with sea lion behavior exemplifies a novel and effective method for underwater exploration. This approach not only enriches our knowledge of marine environments but also underscores the innovative ways in which technology and natural animal behaviors can be harnessed to address complex scientific challenges. As ocean exploration continues to evolve, the collaboration between researchers and wildlife like sea lions promises to unveil more of the ocean’s secrets, paving the way for enhanced conservation and a deeper understanding of our planet’s submerged frontiers.
