Effect of the distribution and density of benthic target organisms on manta tow estimates of their abundance

The perception biases associated with manta tow estimates of the abundance of benthic organisms were investigated using artificial targets, the density, distribution and availability of which could be controlled. The proportion of targets which are counted by a mantatowed observer (sightability) and the precision of the resultant estimates of their abundance decreased as the targets were distributed more widely over a reef slope. The sightability of targets was enhanced when they were arranged at a high density or in relatively large groups of 9–11, or when they were located directly under the manta towed observer rather than at the edges of his visual field. Limiting the search width of a manta towed observer to about 9 m should improve manta tow estimates of target organisms. However, in practice this would be difficult for reef organisms such as Acanthaster planci because of the extreme three dimensionality of the reef surface relative to the depth of the water.