One of the greatest challenges in marine restoration is the lack of visibility. Unlike terrestrial ecosystems, where changes can be observed easily, much of the work being done underwater remains hidden from view.
At the start of the year, EnviroStrat was gifted an underwater ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle) to support our regenerative aquaculture and reef restoration efforts for Ocean Regeneration Aotearoa (ORA).
We are currently exploring this specialised piece of equipment as a way to supplement monitoring work, helping us assess marine habitats before and after restoration interventions.
The ROV provides a solution by allowing us to see, document, and analyse what’s happening below the surface.
This tool has potential to enhance our monitoring capabilities and effectiveness in marine restoration.
Recently, three of our team members underwent Revive Our Gulf’s ROV training, facilitated by Jonothan Bilington from Revive Our Gulf. The session focused on familiarising them with the ROV’s safe operating procedures and provided hands-on experience in driving the ROV along transects.
The ROV will supplement monitoring by providing habitat checks between scientific dive surveys. It will allow us to assess restoration sites more frequently without the logistical constraints of dive operations, ensuring continuous data collection when diving isn’t required. This will enhance our ability to detect habitat shifts, evaluate restoration progress, and improve decision-making for future interventions.
As we continue to refine our skills and integrate the ROV into our workflow, we will better understand how to maximise its value for ORA and our broader marine conservation efforts.