Advanced Pest, Invasive Species & Biosecurity Solutions for Vanuatu and the Pacific Islands

Abyss Vanuatu Ocean Institute (AVOI) delivers industry-leading pest and feral species monitoring, biosecurity, environmental surveillance and invasive species management services throughout Vanuatu, the Pacific Islands and remote island ecosystems. By combining cutting-edge technology, scientific expertise, kastom knowledge and local stewardship, we help governments, communities, conservation organisations and industry partners protect biodiversity, improve ecosystem health and make informed environmental management decisions.

Our team consists of some of the world's most experienced researchers, ecologists, marine biologists, scientific divers, commercial divers, drone pilots, data scientists and environmental project managers. Together, we provide comprehensive environmental monitoring and management solutions that deliver measurable conservation outcomes across marine, coastal and terrestrial environments.

Thermal Drone Surveys for Pest & Feral Species Monitoring

AVOI is at the forefront of thermal drone technology for wildlife monitoring and pest species management. Traditional survey methods can be labour-intensive, costly and often fail to accurately detect elusive or nocturnal species. Our fleet of DJI M30T thermal drones, DJI 4TD platforms and autonomous Drone-in-a-Box (DiaB) systems allow us to rapidly survey large and remote areas with unprecedented efficiency and accuracy.

Our drone-based monitoring programs support:

Feral Dog Monitoring and Management
Feral Cat Detection and Population Assessments
Rabbit Surveys and Abundance Estimation
Rodent Monitoring
Invasive Species Detection
Presence-Absence Surveys
Occupancy Modelling
Population Density Assessments
Biodiversity Monitoring
Wildlife Distribution Mapping
Remote Island Biosecurity Programs
Post-Eradication Verification Surveys
Threatened Species Monitoring

Thermal imaging technology enables the detection of animals hidden within vegetation, rugged terrain and remote landscapes, providing highly accurate data on species presence, abundance, distribution and movement patterns. These datasets form the foundation for evidence-based pest management, biosecurity planning and adaptive conservation management.

Environmental DNA (eDNA) Monitoring

Environmental DNA (eDNA) has become one of the most powerful tools available for detecting species within aquatic environments. By analysing genetic material collected from water samples, AVOI can identify the presence of target species without requiring direct observation, capture or disturbance.

Our eDNA services include:

Marine Pest Species Detection
Invasive Species Monitoring
Fish Community Assessments
Marine Biodiversity Surveys
Threatened Species Detection
Biosecurity Monitoring
Coastal Ecosystem Monitoring
Baseline Environmental Assessments
Long-Term Environmental Monitoring Programs

eDNA provides a highly sensitive and cost-effective monitoring solution, particularly for rare, cryptic or low-density species that are difficult to detect using traditional survey techniques. When combined with drone surveys and field-based assessments, eDNA provides a powerful tool for understanding ecosystem health and species distributions across both marine and freshwater environments.

Trail Cameras & Remote Wildlife Monitoring

AVOI deploys advanced remote trail camera networks to monitor wildlife activity continuously across remote and challenging environments. These systems provide valuable insights into species behaviour, abundance, habitat utilisation and ecosystem health while minimising disturbance to wildlife.

Trail cameras are particularly effective for monitoring:

Feral Dogs
Feral Cats
Rabbits
Rodents
Monitor Lizards
Snakes
Skinks
Geckos
Ground-Dwelling Birds
Nesting Hawksbill Turtles
Nesting Green Turtles
Threatened Wildlife
Remote Island Ecosystems

Remote trail camera networks provide a powerful, non-invasive monitoring solution for mammals, reptiles, birds and other wildlife. Operating continuously day and night, these systems capture valuable information on species presence, abundance, behaviour, movement patterns, habitat utilisation, breeding activity and interactions between native and invasive species.

Trail cameras play a critical role in pest and feral species management by helping identify invasion pathways, assess population trends, measure management effectiveness and detect species that may otherwise go unnoticed through traditional field surveys. They are particularly valuable for monitoring elusive, nocturnal and cryptic species in remote island environments where access can be challenging.

Song Meter Acoustic Monitoring

AVOI utilises Song Meter acoustic recording technology to monitor biodiversity through species vocalisations. Acoustic monitoring is recognised globally as one of the most effective methods for detecting birds, bats, frogs and other vocal wildlife, particularly in dense vegetation or remote locations where visual surveys may be challenging.

Applications include:

Bird Diversity Surveys
Flying Fox Monitoring
Bat Activity Assessments
Frog Monitoring Programs
Biodiversity Assessments
Threatened Species Detection
Long-Term Ecological Monitoring
Ecosystem Health Monitoring

Acoustic monitoring provides continuous, non-invasive data collection and generates valuable insights into species diversity, breeding activity, seasonal patterns and environmental change. Combined with drone surveys, trail cameras and eDNA sampling, acoustic monitoring significantly improves wildlife detection rates and strengthens biodiversity datasets.

Scientific & Commercial Diving Services

AVOI's highly skilled scientific and commercial diving teams through our sister company 'Abyss Scuba Diving' provide specialist underwater monitoring and management services throughout Vanuatu and the Pacific region. Our divers work alongside marine biologists, ecologists and environmental scientists to collect critical marine data and support marine conservation initiatives.

Our diving capabilities include:

Marine Pest Species Monitoring
Crown-of-Thorns Starfish Detection and Management
Reef Health Assessments
Coral Reef Monitoring
Fisheries Surveys
Underwater Biodiversity Assessments
Habitat Condition Monitoring
eDNA Sample Collection
Artificial Reef Monitoring
Marine Protected Area Assessments
Underwater Infrastructure Inspections

By integrating diving operations with drone surveys, GIS mapping and environmental analytics, we provide a complete picture of marine ecosystem health and management requirements.

Integrated Environmental Monitoring & Environmental Intelligence

AVOI's strength lies in our ability to combine multiple technologies into a single integrated monitoring framework. By utilising thermal drones, autonomous Drone-in-a-Box systems, environmental DNA (eDNA), trail cameras, Song Meter acoustic recorders, GIS mapping, artificial intelligence and field-based ecological surveys, we significantly improve detection rates and generate robust, scientifically defensible datasets.

This integrated approach allows us to:

Establish Ecological Baselines
Measure Environmental Change
Detect Emerging Threats
Monitor Management Effectiveness
Inform Adaptive Management Strategies
Support Environmental Impact Assessments
Improve Biodiversity Outcomes
Strengthen Island Biosecurity Programs
Support Sustainable Development Projects

Why Choose AVOI?

Among the most experienced environmental monitoring teams in the Pacific, Australasia & Oceanic Regions
World-class researchers, ecologists, marine biologists and environmental scientists
Advanced thermal drone and autonomous monitoring capabilities
Scientific and commercial diving expertise
Trail camera and acoustic monitoring programs
Proven experience in remote island biosecurity and invasive species management
Data-driven environmental intelligence and adaptive management
Local knowledge combined with world-class science and technology
Integrated environmental monitoring solutions across marine, coastal and terrestrial ecosystems

At AVOI, we don't just collect data—we transform environmental intelligence into practical management actions. By combining science, technology, innovation and local stewardship, we help protect biodiversity, strengthen ecosystem resilience and support sustainable environmental outcomes throughout Vanuatu and the Pacific Islands.