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Pilot Project to Assess Need and Initialize a Methodology to Groundtruth
Existing Multi-Beam and Side-Scan Sonar Seafloor Charts
Project summary: The need for accurate seafloor maps to support
ocean resource management and develop new ocean policy is acute in the Gulf
of Maine. By collaborating with the local commercial fishing industry, this
project team is determining the extent to which existing USGS charts must be
groundtruthed to ensure the accurate depiction of the seafloor. This project
is also initializing an at-sea system for groundtruthing remotely sensed data
used to generate seafloor maps by verifying sediment types and collecting
physical and biotic data at sampling sites. The sampling protocol is based on
fishermen’s input about areas that diverge and correspond with their
knowledge of the seafloor and Captain BG Brown is assisting with all data
collection and analysis. A quadrat with fixed video and lights was
constructed and real-time video is being fed to a digital video recorder on
the fishing vessel. In instances where it is difficult to distinguish
seafloor characteristics from video, or to simply verify video data, benthic
grabs and a ROV are deployed.
Ultimately, this study will initialize a cooperative efficient method to
groundtruth seafloor charts and improve the understanding of seafloor
habitat. These charts will inform and guide ocean resource management
planning for issues such as fishery habitat protection, conflicting uses,
cumulative impacts, and scientific research and monitoring. Moreover, an
accurate depiction of the seafloor will provide essential information to
evaluate potential impacts to the ocean environment for regulatory
decision-makers that review both large and small-scale infrastructure
construction projects such as deepwater ports, alternative energy projects,
artificial reefs, subsurface gas pipelines and aquaculture facilities. Maps
of the seafloor will also be extremely useful to the commercial fishing
industry to help focus fishing effort, decrease steaming times, and reduce
gear conflicts.
Project partners:
Dr. Sal Genovese, Northeastern University
Dr. Madeleine Hall-Arber, MIT Sea Grant College Program
Anthony Wilbur, Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management
Captain BG Brown, F/V Kathryn Leigh
Olivia Free, Massachusetts Fishermen's Partnership
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