Nicole Manison
Minister for Agribusiness and Aquaculture
Paul Kirby
Minister for Recreational Fishing
Media Release
Underwater Drones Protecting our Aquaculture Industry
Thursday 11 November
Underwater Drones Protecting Territory Reefs and Fish
A high-tech underwater drone is helping protect our iconic Territory fish and marine life from harmful aquatic pests.
The cutting-edge remotely operated underwater vehicle (ROV) takes monitoring to the next level, reducing the need for divers and providing a mobile camera capable of scanning large areas in limited time.
This equipment can be manoeuvred to most locations. It also supplies real-time footage to help with the identification of invasive species.
Researchers have also used the ROV last month to monitor the development of our hugely successful artificial reefs and check them for marine pests.
The drone will assist with biosecurity inspections of Darwin Harbour that occurs next month and has the potential to detect aquatic pest species on boat hulls, with a recent trial conducted at Cullen Bay.
It can also be used around marine infrastructure such as wharf pylons around Stokes Hill Wharf and Fort Hill Wharf, to check for aquatic pests in Darwin Harbour.
