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The Huntsman Marine Science Centre needed a reliable, efficient method to monitor Didemnum vexillum (sea vomit) - a rapidly spreading invasive tunicate - across challenging marine environments in Atlantic Canada. Traditional diver-based surveying methods are limited to 35 meters due to decompression limits for divers. By integrating a Deep Trekker PIVOT remotely operated vehicle (ROV) into their research program, Huntsman expanded their survey footprint, gained the ability to collect samples from deeper sites, and overall expanded the surveying capabilities of their Biodiversity and Taxonomy Department.
Didemnum vexillum (sea vomit)
This case study outlines how the ROV is enabling Huntsman to expand their ability to survey deeper areas that they aren't able to reach or collect data from historically, supporting environmental monitoring, marine biodiversity research, and habitat protection initiatives.
About The Huntsman Marine Science Centre
Founded in 1969 in St. Andrews, New Brunswick, Huntsman Marine Science Centre is a non-profit organization focused on marine conservation, research, and education. Their Taxonomy & Biodiversity team leads environmental monitoring efforts, including tracking the invasive ascidian Didemnum vexillum, commonly known as ‘sea vomit’.
“Our mandate is to deliver high-quality marine research and educational programs, engage the local community, and promote a deeper understanding of marine ecosystems and conservation,” explains Dr. Claire Goodwin, head of Biodiversity and Taxonomy Research at Huntsman.
How Underwater ROVs Support Marine Habitat Monitoring and Scientific Research
ROVs are transforming how marine scientists monitor aquatic ecosystems. At Huntsman, researchers use the Deep Trekker PIVOT for non-invasive inspections supporting environmental monitoring, coastal assessments, and biodiversity surveys, including surveys supporting the development of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and assessing invasive species risks.
“We utilize the Deep Trekker ROV in our invasive species research project that aims to document and understand the spread of an invasive marine invertebrate species called Didemnum vexillum in the Bay of Fundy and South Shore of Nova Scotia. This has been found more widely in Atlantic Canadian waters in recent years as sea temperatures rise and it presents a serious threat to native species and marine industries,” said Goodwin.
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How Is The Huntsman Marine Science Centre Using ROVs For Underwater Inspection And Survey Work?
The ROV is primarily used by the Biodiversity & Taxonomy team to locate and document Didemnum vexillum (sea vomit). Equipped with scaling lasers and a grabber claw, the PIVOT enables detailed habitat mapping and environmental assessments in areas that are hazardous or too deep for divers.
“The ROV has been great so far for our needs and has done well in its first season in the extreme tidal flows we experience here,” noted Claire.
The Problem: How Do You Monitor Invasive Species In High-Current, Low-Visibility Marine Environments?
Monitoring the spread of D. vexillum requires detailed surveys across a wide range of depths and conditions - including marinas with potential for boat traffic, deep-water habitats, and areas with short tidal windows and hazardous currents. Traditional diver-based methods are limited by depth, and the number of sites that can be surveyed in a day, due to accumulation of nitrogen in a diver’s body from repetitive dives. ROVs can be deployed quickly, operate in hazardous environments, and recovered immediately if tidal conditions change.
For the Huntsman Marine Science Centre, the ROV expanded invasive species detection without compromising diver safety or data quality - particularly in strong tidal zones like the Bay of Fundy and remote inlets along Nova Scotia’s South Shore.
“Our ROV has been a great supplement to our dive team, offering us a tool that can be quickly deployed with a smaller support team. We have found our ROV to be well suited for quick deployments into areas of interest, such as marinas and areas that can be hazardous to divers. The ROV expands our ability to conduct fieldwork over a larger area and enables us to better monitor for invasive species,” said Goodwin.
“The ROV expands our ability to conduct fieldwork over a larger area and enables us to better monitor for invasive species,” said Goodwin.
The Solution: How Do ROVs Support Coastal And Offshore Inspections For Marine Research?
The Deep Trekker PIVOT ROV offers a practical tool for underwater inspection and sample collection in environments unsuitable for divers. With depth-hold, heading lock, scaling lasers, and a grabber claw, the ROV allows the Huntsman team to document D. vexillum colonies, estimate their size and abundance, and collect tissue samples for genetic analysis.
Because the ROV is portable and deployable by a small crew, it supports efficient operations from small vessels within constrained field time and budgets.
“The ROV is a capable platform to expand our capabilities. It allows us to obtain good video recordings of the habitat without the need to deploy the entire team and identify areas of interest to return to for more intensive surveys.”
What Are The Benefits Of Using ROVs For Environmental Monitoring And Invasive Species Detection?
The PIVOT ROV enables Huntsman to collect high-resolution video and biological samples without relying solely on divers. It is especially useful at sites with short tidal windows and high slack tides, where divers would lose valuable bottom time that could be used on other sites.
“We are able to survey many more sites within a day than we can with just divers, enabling us to focus our SCUBA surveys on sites that require this tool. We are also able to sample at tidal states and depths that would not permit diving.”
The ROV’s rapid deployment capabilities and minimal setup time enable researchers to respond quickly to emerging survey needs, detect new infestations of D. vexillum, and revisit known hotspots to track changes in colony growth over time. This flexibility is critical for effective environmental monitoring and early detection in sensitive marine areas.
Why Is Subsea Inspection With ROVs Ideal For Environmental Monitoring?
The ROV enables Huntsman Marine to:
- Collect samples at depths beyond safe diving limits
- Conduct inspections in hazardous or confined areas (e.g., marina pilings, dock structures)
- Survey multiple sites per day with minimal setup time
- Capture high-resolution video in low-visibility conditions
This operational flexibility supports more comprehensive coastal assessments and environmental impact evaluations - while reducing the logistical complexity of deploying dive teams.
How Does The Deep Trekker PIVOT ROV Perform In Challenging Offshore Conditions?
The Bay of Fundy is known for having the highest tidal ranges in the world, making traditional inspections difficult. The PIVOT ROV has proven versatile across a range of conditions, performing reliably in both sheltered coastal sites and exposed offshore locations.
“Our Deep Trekker ROV has done well against the extreme tides and currents in the Bay of Fundy, which can be quite formidable. We have found our little robot to be quite robust and forgiving to operate, with the depth and heading holding to help us decrease task loading while still getting our surveys done.”
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What Features Of The Deep Trekker ROV Are Most Useful For Scientific Fieldwork?
The Huntsman team relies on several key features of the Deep Trekker PIVOT ROV to support their invasive species surveys and habitat assessments.
“Two of the most useful features on our ROV are the scaling lasers and the grabber claw. We have also been very impressed with the video quality and lighting, allowing us to obtain good footage in what can be murky waters in the Bay of Fundy.”
The scaling lasers are used during video transects to estimate the size and abundance of D. vexillum colonies, providing consistent, measurable data for monitoring trends over time. The grabber claw allows the team to collect targeted tissue samples, critical for confirming species identification, assessing reproductive status, and conducting DNA sequencing in the lab.
In coastal and estuarine environments where visibility is often poor, the UHD 4K camera and powerful LED lighting system enable clear imaging for documentation and visual assessments. Combined with the PIVOT’s station holding capabilities, including depth hold and heading lock, these features reduce operator workload and support high-quality data capture even in unstable conditions.
How Does ROV Technology Improve The Efficiency Of Marine Research Operations?
One key benefit has been a considerable reduction in turnaround time between dives, primarily due to the ROV’s efficient battery swap system. Battery swaps can be performed quickly, even while in transit between survey locations, allowing for near-continuous operation throughout the field day.
“Battery changes can be accomplished quickly while on route to the next survey location with the ROV being ready to dive as soon as we reach the site with the used batteries already charging for the next dive.”
By focusing diving resources only on high-priority or complex sampling locations, the research team maximizes field season productivity and optimizes resource allocation.
The ROV’s compact design, minimal setup time, and small crew requirements allow for rapid deployment from small vessels, supporting surveys in remote or tight areas, expanding their survey footprint without adding to the operational burden.
“We are able to survey many more sites within a day than we can with SCUBA diving, enabling us to focus our SCUBA surveys on sites that require this tool.”
As a result, dives are reserved primarily for complex sampling or sites that require direct diver intervention, optimizing the use of both ROV and diver resources. This complementary approach improves overall efficiency, reduces operational costs, and increases data collection capacity throughout the field season. Overall, integrating ROVs into the research workflow delivers a higher return on investment by expanding survey capabilities without increasing team size or field time.
ROVs Can Be Used For Public Engagement And Marine Stewardship Education
Huntsman Marine uses their PIVOT ROV not only for research but also for outreach at the Fundy Discovery Aquarium. Recorded survey footage helps educate visitors about invasive species, habitat threats, and the role of marine technology in conservation.
“Our Deep Trekker ROV has been a great tool for public outreach and we have featured it at the Fundy Discovery Aquarium, which is operated by Huntsman Marine, as part of our public outreach experiences. This has allowed visitors to see some of the video footage we have taken and given us an opportunity to talk about the tools we use to survey and the work we do as marine biologists.”
Managing Budgets While Accessing Advanced Research Technology
Securing high-end marine research technology can be challenging for organizations operating with constrained budgets. Huntsman Marine highlighted the importance of finding flexible solutions that deliver essential capabilities without exceeding financial limits.
“Deep Trekker worked with us and provided an affordable scientific package so we were able to fit the features we needed into our project budget. We were able to get a great package with DVL station holding, sonar, laser scalers, and grabber. We hope to add on a dead reckoning positioning system in the future, the ability to build on your system as funds permit is very welcome,” noted Claire Goodwin.
How ROV Technology Is Helping Solve Real-World Marine Inspection Challenges
By integrating the Deep Trekker PIVOT ROV into their workflow, Huntsman Marine has expanded survey coverage, improved safety, and increased efficiency - demonstrating how ROV technology can effectively address the real-world challenges of invasive species monitoring and marine research.
“We’ve been very pleased with our Deep Trekker ROV and feel it is an excellent survey tool. Extra batteries are worth the investment as they will allow your team to take full advantage of the ROV platform and get the most out of your field day.”
When you're ready to secure your very own Deep Trekker vehicle, contact us and we'll be happy to provide you with a customized quote tailored precisely to your requirements.
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