Services

Benthic Surveys — Scallops & Habitats

Non-destructive seabed surveys for stock assessments and benthic habitat monitoring. We survey scallop beds with high accuracy, supporting sustainable fisheries using dredge-free stock monitoring.

The same seabed transect shown as a 3D elevation model on the left and a true-colour photomosaic on the right — One transect, two views: 3D elevation model (left) and true-colour photomosaic (right).

How we scan

Our AUV autonomously scans the seabed in sub-mm resolution with high consistency, enabling accurate surveys of benthic structures and species. The scanning altitude is kept constant even over undulating seabed giving a 1m wide swath width. Bright strobe lights synchronised with our cameras provide consistent image lighting and colour. Seabed scans are georeferenced and reconstructed using structure-from-motion photogrammetry giving high detail 3D representations.

Scallops measured on a 3D seabed model, with an inset chart comparing UWAI and diver scallop size counts — Scallops measured directly in the 3D model. Inset: size distribution from the AUV survey against a diver survey of the same bed (1,200 scallops).

Validated with science partners

89%detection efficiency for large New Zealand cryptic scallops

We work with science partners to validate the accuracy of our automated AI surveys, for example, Earth Sciences NZ for monitoring of NZ cryptic scallops for fisheries regulators. For scallop surveys, the high resolution imaging results in a detection efficiency of 89% for large New Zealand cryptic scallops (Pecten novaezelandiae).

From the survey

More from our seabed scans

Photogrammetric 3D model of a scanned strip of seabed, colour-coded by elevation — 3D elevation model of a surveyed strip of seabed.

Seabed photomosaic with a full-resolution camera frame overlaid, showing a cluster of scallops — Photomosaic with a full-resolution frame overlaid on a scallop cluster.

A georeferenced survey transect drawn as a line, with detection counts plotted at intervals along it — Georeferenced transect with detections plotted along its length.

Enquire about this service All services