MV Series Housing Scallop Drop Camera (2018)
The University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth's Marine Fisheries Field Research Group (About Us – Marine Fisheries Field Research Group) has been working on estimating scallop abundance and distribution along the Atlantic Coast of North America to understand the effects of anthropogenic climate change and natural decadal climatic variability. We worked with the team to develop a modular camera system which would allow them the flexibility in camera placement for the measurement and species identification. The team at UMass developed a quadrant survey pyramid with camera and lights:
Three of our MV 30-25 camera enclosures were strategically mounted within a robust steel quadrat pyramid, designed to simultaneously capture detailed imagery across two distinct survey areas: a 0.6m² micro-quadrat for high-resolution close-ups and a larger 2.3m² macro-quadrat to provide broader contextual views of the seabed. This setup enabled comprehensive data collection at multiple scales, enhancing both species identification and habitat analysis.
The pyramid housed three camera types, each selected to fulfill specific imaging requirements. A Kongsberg OE14-408 digital still camera was used for its precise imaging capabilities, particularly valuable in scientific surveys. Additionally, an Imperx Bobcat digital still camera offered high-quality, rapid-capture functionality, allowing for efficient documentation across the quadrats. Lastly, a GoPro Hero 5 provided versatile, wide-angle footage, capturing the overall structure and ambient environment. This combination of camera technologies, protected within the durable MV 30-25 enclosures, ensured resilience against harsh underwater conditions while delivering high-quality data for detailed analysis:
The survey spanned water depths from 54 to 94 meters, providing valuable insights into benthic habitats across a range of environmental conditions. According to a representative from the research group, "The housings were excellent for achieving high image quality and allowed for flexible, modular mounting configurations," enabling the team to capture data from challenging underwater environments with precision. Conducted between May and October 2017, with additional sites surveyed in 2016 and 2018, this extensive effort allowed the team to assess scallop abundance over an impressive 27,000 km² of the seafloor.
Throughout the survey, the team documented scallop populations with detailed accuracy. Scallop counts per quadrat ranged from 1 to 363, while counts per station varied from 1 to 1,083, highlighting the diversity in population density across surveyed areas. Using our Sexton MV Series housings, the team captured high-quality images essential for accurate scallop measurement and population analysis. These images, showcasing the versatility and clarity of the MV housings, are displayed below:
Publications:
(11) (PDF) How many sea scallops are there and why does it matter?