Deep Trekker’s PIVOT ROV has helped the Huntsman Marine Science Centre enhance its monitoring of the invasive tunicate Didemnum vexillum (sea vomit) across the dynamic marine environments of Atlantic Canada.
By integrating the compact system into their research workflow, Huntsman’s Biodiversity and Taxonomy Department has expanded its operational range, accessed deeper survey sites, and strengthened its long-term environmental monitoring programs.
Expanding Research Capabilities in Challenging Waters
Traditional diver-based surveys are limited to depths of about 35 meters and are restricted by decompression requirements and short tidal windows. To overcome these constraints, Huntsman deployed the Deep Trekker PIVOT ROV, enabling data collection and sample retrieval in strong currents, low visibility, and hazardous locations such as marinas and offshore inlets.
The Huntsman Marine Science Centre is a non-profit organization focused on marine conservation, research, and education. Its Taxonomy and Biodiversity team leads studies on invasive marine species, including D. vexillum, which has spread widely through Atlantic Canadian waters as sea temperatures rise.
Dr. Claire Goodwin, Head of Biodiversity and Taxonomy Research, Huntsman Marine Science Centre, explained, “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.”
Supporting Environmental Monitoring and Marine Biodiversity
ROVs are transforming the way researchers study underwater habitats, providing a safer and more efficient tool for mapping and sample collection. Huntsman uses the Deep Trekker PIVOT to conduct biodiversity assessments, support Marine Protected Area development, and track invasive species presence.
“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.
Reliable Performance in Extreme Tidal Conditions
The Bay of Fundy experiences the highest tidal ranges in the world, creating difficult survey conditions for divers. The Deep Trekker PIVOT has demonstrated robust performance in both sheltered and exposed sites, maintaining stability and maneuverability even in strong currents.
Equipped with depth hold, heading lock, scaling lasers, and a grabber claw, the PIVOT provides consistent, high-quality footage and enables accurate mapping of D. vexillum colonies. The vehicle’s portability allows for deployment by a small team, expanding survey efficiency without compromising diver safety.
“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.
Increasing Survey Efficiency and Data Collection
The Deep Trekker PIVOT allows researchers to complete more site surveys in a single day compared to diver-only operations. High-definition video and biological samples can be collected without dive-time restrictions, enabling more frequent revisits and detailed tracking of species spread.
“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.”
“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 system’s fast battery exchange enables near-continuous field operation.
“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,” said Goodwin.
Tools for Scientific Precision
Key features such as scaling lasers and the manipulator claw are essential for Huntsman’s invasive species surveys and laboratory analysis. The lasers provide measurement references during transects, while the claw enables selective tissue sampling for DNA sequencing and reproductive studies.
The PIVOT’s UHD 4K camera and powerful LED lighting ensure visibility in turbid waters, while its station-holding capabilities reduce operator workload during data collection.
Enhancing Outreach and Education
Huntsman Marine also uses its Deep Trekker ROV for public education at the Fundy Discovery Aquarium. Recorded footage helps visitors learn about marine ecosystems, invasive species, and research technologies.
“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.”
Affordable Access to Advanced Marine Technology
To accommodate research budgets, Deep Trekker worked closely with Huntsman Marine to deliver a customized system with essential scientific tools.
“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 Goodwin.
A Reliable Platform for Marine Research
By incorporating the Deep Trekker PIVOT ROV, Huntsman Marine has enhanced survey coverage, reduced diver risk, and increased data collection efficiency in one of the world’s most challenging marine environments.
