Sea urchin survey system in coastal areas using a μ-ASV

Currently, the phenomenon of ocean desertification, known as rocky shore denudation, is occurring all over the world. One of the causes is the feeding damage by sea urchins on seaweed beds called seagrass beds. To restore the seaweed beds, it is necessary to exterminate the proliferating sea urchins. We have developed an automated survey system that provides information on sea urchin habitat distribution and seafloor topography to streamline the extermination process. Based on a small surfboard-based ASV developed in our laboratory, an underwater camera and sonar are attached to the ASV (autonomous surface vehicle), which navigates automatically to collect data. By analyzing the obtained data, we were able to obtain the habitat distribution of sea urchins and a topographic map of the seafloor, which are necessary for sea urchin extermination.