Autonomous Reef Monitoring Structures

Automated Remote Monitoring Structures (ARMS) are used around the world to monitor the recruitment and diversity of invertebrate species in coastal environments. The Marine Society established an ARMS project within Quandamooka (Moreton Bay) at the start of 2021. Along with four ARMS plates, the Goodman Foundation also supplied funds for two new dissecting microscopes which have HD cameras attached for recording videos and taking high-resolution images of the settlement plates. We currently have four ARMS distributed around Quandamooka in two separate locations.

The aim of this SEQUEST project is for long-term monitoring of the biological diversity of marine invertebrates at different areas of the bay, with varying levels of anthropogenic stress from boating, farming and dredging activities.

The use of ARMS devices at UQ was initiated by Professor Bernie and Professor Sandie Degnan for teaching third-year students and assisting them with the taxonomic ID of marine invertebrates from the Bay. We are very fortunate to have academics involved in our SEQUEST programs.