Volume 66
Micro-ROV Survey Methodology for Submerged Oil and Gas Platform Reefs
Authors
Ajemian, M., J.J. Wetz, and G.W. Stunz Download PDF Open PDF in BrowserOther Information
Date: November, 2013
Pages: 316 317
Event: Proceedings of the Sixty six Annual Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute
City: Corpus Christy
Country: USA
Abstract
A major impediment to understanding the function of offshore artificial habitats to fish production has been the ability of researchers to study assemblages situated in these relatively inaccessible environments. Submerged oil and gas platform reefs, for example, are often located at depths beyond most recreational and scientific diving limits (30 60 m) and thus present a suite of logistical and sampling restraints. Due to reductions in their size and cost, and the ability to maneuver around deep and complex habitats, remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) have become increasingly used by scientists to survey fish communities on artificial structures. However, in the Gulf of Mexico, developed methods only exist for relatively small reefs such as pyramids (Dance et al. 2011, Patterson et al. 2009).