ROVs Provide New Information about Marine Life
Series: December 2006 - Isla Earth Radio Series
From: Pat Maxwell
Length: 00:01:30
A technology that's used for offshore drilling is benefiting marine biologists worldwide.
Remotely operated vehicles, nicknamed ROVs, are used to study offshore oilrigs and to monitor drilling activity. Their pilots -- high and dry up on the rig -- often see and film strange sea creatures and animal behaviors in the process. Today, 50 ROV pilots are sharing these videotapes with inquisitive scientists as part of a project called SERPENT.
Since the project's inception in 2002, ROV pilots working off four continents have videotaped creatures that had never been collected or scientifically described. They've discovered new species of squid, sea cucumbers, and small crustaceans. They've also witnessed animal behaviors that had never been documented before.
SERPENT is an exciting new source of information that's helping marine biologists learn more about the deep-sea environment and its inhabitants. The information is provided to marine conservationists, helping to increase their understanding of the impact that human activities can have on fragile marine environments.
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Piece Description
A technology that's used for offshore drilling is benefiting marine biologists worldwide. Remotely operated vehicles, nicknamed ROVs, are used to study offshore oilrigs and to monitor drilling activity. Their pilots -- high and dry up on the rig -- often see and film strange sea creatures and animal behaviors in the process. Today, 50 ROV pilots are sharing these videotapes with inquisitive scientists as part of a project called SERPENT. Since the project's inception in 2002, ROV pilots working off four continents have videotaped creatures that had never been collected or scientifically described. They've discovered new species of squid, sea cucumbers, and small crustaceans. They've also witnessed animal behaviors that had never been documented before. SERPENT is an exciting new source of information that's helping marine biologists learn more about the deep-sea environment and its inhabitants. The information is provided to marine conservationists, helping to increase their understanding of the impact that human activities can have on fragile marine environments.
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