Comparing Baited and Unbaited Video to Assess the Abundance and Behavior of Black Sea Bass

We employed baited and unbaited underwater video to sample BSB on structured habitats on 10 days between 14 June and 4 August 2011 at six sites off coast of Maryland. Video surveys were conducted using a modified commercial habitat trap with five GoPro^® HD Hero cameras attached to a steel frame 38 cm above the trap. One camera was placed on each side facing outward while another was positioned inward to record fish/trap interactions.  Sampling included two baited (squid) and unbaited 60 minute continuous video deployments.  Videos were analyzed by counting the number of fish visible in still frames taken every 30 seconds for the first 30 minutes. Abundance estimates for each bait method, determined as the MeanCount or the average of fish counts per frame, were compared using mixed-effects ANOVA. Behavior was evaluated by noting the average time of first arrival in the camera view (ATFA) during the first 30 min of video and trap interactions or the frequency of entries (entering trap through funnel), half entries (entering into funnel but backing out), and escapes (exiting the trap through the funnel or escape vents) per 60 minute video recorded by the camera faced downward over the trap.