Remotely Operated Underwater Vehicles in Aquaculture
Remotely operated underwater vehicles (ROVs) are actively used in aquaculture, performing many tasks. Some of these tasks include monitoring and checking farms and water quality, and deploying and maintaining equipment. The use of ROVs in aquaculture offers many advantages over traditional surveillance methods. ROVs can work in difficult conditions such as deep water or harsh weather conditions, and due to their small size, they can work without harming the fish.
It is believed that for the first time the ROV was used on a fish farm back in the 1990s. Since then, industry and technology have made significant strides forward. Now the aquaculture industry can no longer be imagined without the work of remotely controlled underwater vehicles. Learning about the aquatic environment in which aquaculture farms operate helps people raise and protect both wild and farm animals.
SmartDive ROV
In addition to being useful in industry, ROVs are also being used to study nature. Underwater drones help farmers comply with economic, safety and environmental policies and laws. Submersibles can also be used to study fish behavior, monitor fish health, water quality, and farm equipment. In addition, ROVs are able to carry out technical and repair work in cages.
The health and well-being of fish are the main criteria for a successful fish farm. The need to constantly maintain the health of animals can cause serious difficulties. Rising water temperatures, toxic algae blooms, diseases, pollution and parasite epidemics force fish farm workers to constantly monitor the fish. Underwater drones often help to cope with such tasks. It is much faster and cheaper to launch an ROV than a diver, which is why they are widely used for regular underwater work in aquaculture.
Inspection of fish farm cages in the Barents Sea using the SmartDive ROV
SmartDive remotely operated underwater vehicles are equipped with manipulators, sonars, underwater navigation systems and other sensors. Thanks to this equipment, ROV operators perform a wide range of maintenance, monitoring and repair tasks. Thanks to a Full HD video camera with a wide viewing angle and powerful light, our devices are able to work in low visibility conditions. The small size of the SmartDive ROV allows you not to scare away the fish and get into the narrowest passages that a diver cannot fit into.
The use of remotely operated underwater vehicles is crucial for aquaculture, as well as in many other industries related to work under water. ROVs on fish farms daily perform a variety of types of work, which is often beyond the power of a person to perform.