Online monitoring of coastal- and offshore industries: the need for mobile robots

Fragile ecosystems are increasingly found near areas of hydrocarbon and mariculture activities. These activities can impinge on the environmental integrity of these marine areas. Countries have developed regulatory frameworks to ensure that the environmental conditions of the surrounding environment does not deteriorate beyond predetermined levels. These monitoring programs include quality standards so changes in environmental conditions can be followed. New emerging monitoring strategies increasingly allow remote sensing of the environment via semi-autonomous or autonomous vehicles which transfer the data via surface buoys or cabled underwater networks. The talk will summarize international activities of both academia and industry towards an improved sustainable management of ocean resources. Results from an internet operated vehicle used within the Neptune Canada project will be discussed.