DEFRA backs robotic seagrass monitoring project

Known as SONARS (Seagrass Observation using Novel Acoustic Remote Sensing), the endeavour will be led by HydroSurv, an Exeter-based firm that develops and operates electrified and hybrid USVs. According to HydroSurv, the project will pair its USV platforms with an ‘automated data processing toolchain’, analysing seagrass health at three designated sites on the south west coast of England.

The project, which is backed by Innovate UK and DEFRA (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs), will see HydroSurv work with Coastal Marine Applied Research (CMAR) from Plymouth University, the Ocean Conservation Trust, Falmouth Harbour and the South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Long-term, the partners plan to commercialise the technology for environmental monitoring.

“Working with partners and end-users, our focus has shifted from technology development towards the scale pilot of a whole-system solution,” said David Hull, HydroSurv CEO. “The ability to demonstrate to service operator customers and channel partners that the solution has been extensively tested with engagement from survey commissioners, not only on small field trials, but also on multiple sites and seasonal resurveys, will build confidence in the solution.