Biology, Deep-Sea Technology, Offshore Benthic Environment

Juan-Jacques Forgus, Biodiversity Instrument Technician at the National Research foundation’s South African Environmental Observation Network (NRF-SAEON)

I graduated from the University of The Western Cape with a Master’s in Biodiversity and Conservation Biology in 2018. My interests have always been varied with a particular focus on the Ecology of marine and terrestrial environments. During the course of internships and short-term positions I held after graduating, I developed a strong interest in the technical aspects of scientific research rather than just the academic.

Fortunately, my mentors and supervisors supported my desires to take on more technical roles within my positions and as time went on I found myself pursuing the role of a scientific technician. Things came full circle when previous experiences with benthic camera systems and benthic biodiversity research, as an intern within the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), led to me apply for the position of Biodiversity Instrument Technician with the South African Environmental Observation Network.

My research focuses on the operation and development of tools and instruments used to map South Africa’s offshore benthic environment and invertebrate biodiversity. While I’m experienced in using traditional sampling methods such as trawling, dredging, grabs, etc., my primary interests and core duties are focused on operating our existing camera systems as well as developing new systems to be used for non-invasive, visual surveys of the benthic environment.

I also focus on the management and processing of visual and environmental data collected by the SAEON benthic camera systems and with the increased accessibility of machine learning tools, a budding focus area has been the use of artificial intelligence to assist with the processing of visual data and identification of species within.