Researchers in Australia are utilizing sea lions equipped with lightweight cameras to explore and map previously unmapped ocean floor habitats.

The project, led by PhD student Nathan Angelakis, involved eight adult female sea lions from Olive Island and Seal Bay, who were outfitted with cameras and tracking devices.

Over the course of the study, the sea lions captured a total of 89 hours of footage, documenting six distinct sea-floor habitats ranging from bare sand to algae meadows.

The identified habitats include macroalgae reef, macroalgae meadow, bare sand, sponge/sand, invertebrate reefs, and invertebrate boulders, enhancing the understanding of biodiversity in these regions.

The footage revealed previously uncharted areas of the ocean floor off the southern coast of Australia, providing new insights into local marine ecosystems.

Understanding these habitats is crucial for protecting them from threats such as human activities and climate change.

The researchers validated a machine-learning model predicting sea-floor habitats with over 98% accuracy, using the footage to assess biodiversity.

The findings highlight the sea lions' strong knowledge of their environment, which will assist in conservation efforts for this endemic species.

Prof. Simon Goldsworthy, who has studied the species for 25 years, described the footage as 'slow TV,' providing unprecedented insights into the sea lions' underwater activities.

Notably, the footage includes the first observation of a mother Australian sea lion teaching her pup how to hunt, showcasing the species' social learning behaviors.

The findings from this innovative research are published in the journal Frontiers in Marine Science, contributing to the understanding of endangered marine species.

Current methods for mapping seabeds, such as remotely operated underwater vehicles, are costly and often hindered by weather conditions, making this approach particularly valuable.