The use of a micro remotely operated vehicle as a tool for studies of shark behaviour and diver impact

The suitability of a micro-ROV as a tool for shark behavioural studies was tested on a group of mixed pelagic species in captivity. A methodology was then developed and applied to describe shark behaviour in the wild and to assess the impact of the presence of scuba divers on the behaviour of Carcharias taurus and Stegostoma fasciatum. During the study, sharks seemed to not be disturbed by the presence of the ROV. However, the presence of SCUBA divers affected the behaviour of the sharks, usually breaking group formation, and being more active than in the absence of divers.