Internship

Internship: Baited Remote Underwater Video (BRUV) of The Saba Bank

Fishing in the Caribbean Netherlands plays a crucial role in the local economy. The conservation and replenishment of fish populations are essential for maintaining the stability of marine ecosystems. The Saba Bank, known for its rich biodiversity and fishing grounds, is a critical area in this regard. Gaining knowledge about the spawning grounds, especially for mass-spawning species like the Red Hind, is vital for sustainable fisheries management and conservation efforts. To monitor the abundance of Red Hind populations, Baited Remote Underwater Video (BRUV) surveys have been conducted on the Moonfish Bank, a recognized spawning area for Red Hind on the Saba bank.

The successful applicant will analyze BRUV footage to achieve two main goals:

  1. Determine the density of Red Hind in their spawning ground on the Moonfish Bank and investigate how their size structure distribution and abundance may change over time.
  2. Annotate all species captured in the footage and analyze what factors affect the species composition. The applicant will have flexibility in data analysis, including but not limited to exploring behavioural aspects.

Expectations and Benefits

  • The intern will conduct their project during the calendar year of 2025, working in the field from May until July. After that the student will focus on data processing, statistics and writing, but is welcome to stay on the island to help out with fieldwork from different projects occasionally.
  • Stipends will be provided for the duration of the internship.
  • Scientific guidance will be offered by experts from Wageningen Marine Research (WMR) and the Saba Conservation Foundation (SCF).

We are seeking a student who

  • Is enrolled in a university master program in marine biology, ecology, environmental science, or related fields.
  • Possesses excellent data organization skills.
  • Has experience in data analysis.
  • Demonstrates initiative and enthusiasm for diving into data analysis. • Can work independently and collaboratively. •
  • Can work independently and collaboratively.
  • Can start the latest last week of April 2025 and commit to at least 6 months.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit a resume and short cover letter, no more than 250 words to owen.clements@wur.nl and sanne.mooij@wur.nl. Please indicate your interest in the BRUV analysis internship and your availability for the specified period.