The use of georeferenced underwater TV devices for the study of the exotic invasive species Branchiomma luctuosum (Grube, 1869) (Polychaeta, Sabellidae) in ports from the Eastern Iberian coast (Western Mediterranean Sea).

Ports are believed to be key factors in the process of dissemination of exotic marine species. However, direct sampling is very difficult in such areas due to their elevated turbidity and/or the danger related to shipping traffic. Within this study we propose the use of georeferenced TV underwater devices with high sensitivity for the inspection and monitoring of the exotic invasive species (EIS) Branchiomma luctuosum (Polychaeta, Sabellidae) in several ports from the Eastern Iberian coast (Western Mediterranean Sea, Spain). Many ports with different shipping activities were surveyed, from Cases d'Alcanar Port (Tarragona) to Santa Pola Port (Alicante). The use of this methodology contributed to the expansion of knowledge concerning the distribution and abundance of this species in the Eastern Iberian coast. This study proved the efficiency of this large scale sampling method and the possibility of its use in early detection and monitoring of this species and other conspicuous marine EIS which can be photo-identified.