Deeper water fish and benthic surveys
in the Lord Howe Island Marine Park: February 2004

Methods

Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROV)

Two recently acquired remotely operated vehicles [Seabotixtm Little Benthic Vehicles (LBVs)] were available to provide detailed imagery of the benthos for species identification. One unit was fitted with a manipulator arm for the purpose of recovering specimens to support identification. Unfortunately, the weather never allowed the deployment of this equipment from the charter vessel, which must be at anchor to allow management of the umbilical cables.

It is worth noting that the currents in some areas were quite strong and not always aligned with the sea surface conditions dictating the ship’s head. For future reference, the Lord Howe Island Marine Park manager possesses a similar ROV and is opportunistically deploying it in the State Park from a small vessel.

December 18, 2008