Development and application of BRUVS‐Lite: A stereo‐BRUV system with integrated lighting for benthic marine monitoring in northern latitudes

Baited Remote Underwater Video Systems (BRUVS) are a valuable, non‐destructive marine monitoring technology, suitable for a wide variety of monitoring goals. BRUVS remain underutilized in low‐light and remote environments, where the requirement for additional lighting, extended deployments, and repeated site access can increase costs and complexity, limiting data collection. This study presents BRUVS‐Lite, a new open‐source stereo‐BRUVS with integrated lights. The design incorporates purpose‐designed and consumer‐available components to generate a user‐friendly, cost‐effective technology capable of providing high‐quality imagery in low‐light environments, over extended deployment periods and to 500 m depth. The effectiveness of BRUVS‐Lite was evaluated at multiple locations and marine habitats surrounding Nova Scotia, Canada, demonstrating its suitability for benthic monitoring in low‐light environments.