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Monitoring of corals - Polyp Activity Monitoring System (PAMS)

Monitoring of corals - Polyp Activity Monitoring System (PAMS)

, NORCE, PAMS, ,

NORCE

Polyp Activity Monitoring System (PAMS)

Many corals are listed as endangered because they harbor threatened species. Therefore, they need to be monitored in the most gentle way possible. Anything that disturbs the seabed can be a threat to corals. These threats must be taken seriously, as corals contribute to marine biodiversity and have important ecosystem functions on the seabed.

Chief Scientist Thierry Baussant at NORCE has developed a new technology at the NORCE Marine Research Centre in Mekjarvik. This new technology can monitor corals without physically touching them. The method is based on camera technology and a methodology for observing coral welfare and condition in their natural environment in the sea. The invention has been named the Polyp Activity Monitoring System (PAMS).

The unique aspect of the invention is the system's ability to collect, display, and analyze images of coral polyps using time-lapse photography to measure their behavior. The system analyzes each image and then creates a silhouette of the coral that is used to measure polyp activities. This allows for the monitoring of corals without physical contact. This is crucial because many corals are on the endangered species list. Currently, there are very few similar monitoring tools available.

Photo: Thomas Hovmøller Ris, Chief Scientist Thierry Baussant at NORCE has developed a system for coral monitoring. Here he stands in front of the invention itself., Thierry PAMS 1, ,

Source:
Photo: Thomas Hovmøller Ris

Chief Scientist Thierry Baussant at NORCE has developed a system for coral monitoring. Here he stands in front of the invention itself.

An important tool for decision-makers and industry players

The new coral monitoring tool can be used for decision support and risk assessment related to industrial activities in deep water. Such a tool is relevant both for authorities regulating new areas and for industry players planning to establish new offshore industries in locations with fragile marine life. There is also hope that the new PAMS tool will contribute to better monitoring of the oceans, particularly the deep sea.

Photo: Thomas Hovmøller Ris, Minister of Energy Terje Aasland (left) visited the NORCE Marine Research Centre in Mekjarvik in August 2024. Here, Baussant explains the coral monitoring system, PAMS., Lab2, ,

Source:
Photo: Thomas Hovmøller Ris

Minister of Energy Terje Aasland (left) visited the NORCE Marine Research Centre in Mekjarvik in August 2024. Here, Baussant explains the coral monitoring system, PAMS.

Project facts

Name

Monitoring of corals - Polyp Activity Monitoring System (PAMS)

Status

Duration

01.07.23 - 01.07.25

Location

Mekjarvik

Research areas

Research group

Research Topics

Prosjekteier

NORCE