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New case study: Georeferenced 3D photogrammetry for monitoring the impact of aquaculture on hard seabeds (full R&D project)

Demonstrating the feasibility of cost-effective, high-precision underwater navigation and 3D photogrammetry to monitor hard seabed environments

As fish farming expands, protecting Scotland’s marine environment is essential. Monitoring seabeds - especially hard, rocky areas - is challenging because traditional sampling methods are limited. To address this, researchers explored georeferenced 3D photogrammetry, a cutting-edge technique that creates detailed 3D models from underwater photographs. These models allow regulators and farmers to assess environmental conditions more accurately and efficiently.

Valued at over £500k, the partners were Tritonia Scientific Ltd, Mowi Scotland, Salmon Scotland, SEPA, and NatureScot. The project was funded by the UK Seafood Innovation Fund (SIF Full R&D) and supported by SAIC.

The project aimed to develop cost-effective methods for:

  • Improving underwater navigation for remotely operated vehicles (ROVs).
  • Capturing high-resolution, georeferenced 3D images of the seabed.
  • Automating analysis to make data accessible for regulators and aquaculture operators.

Key innovations and findings:

  • ROV navigation: advanced positioning systems enabled ROVs to follow precise survey paths repeatedly, improving accuracy.
  • Photogrammetry software: Agisoft Metashape delivered the best results, achieving 98% image alignment and high model precision. Other platforms like 3DF Zephyr and Bentley iTwin also showed promise.
  • Camera and imaging: GoPro cameras provided superior image detail but required more processing, while ExplorerHD offered live-streaming for faster workflows.
  • Machine learning: automated image analysis improved classification of seabed features, though challenges remain in temperate waters.
  • Environmental insights: surveys detected changes in sediment patterns, such as ripples and deposition, demonstrating the potential for long-term monitoring of seabed health.

Trials at marine fish farms confirmed the practicality of these methods, despite challenges like weather and navigation drift. Combining photogrammetry with sonar mapping and real-time positioning created accurate, repeatable models of complex seabed structures.

This technology offers a powerful alternative to labour-intensive sampling, supporting sustainable aquaculture by improving environmental oversight. It helps regulators and producers monitor sensitive habitats, track changes over time, and plan farm operations responsibly.

Future research will refine these techniques and expand their use to soft seabed environments, ensuring Scotland’s aquaculture sector can grow while safeguarding marine ecosystems.

The full title of this project is ‘Georeferenced 3D photogrammetry for monitoring the impact of aquaculture on hard seabeds (full R&D project)’.

This is the third SAIC-supported project featuring Tritonia – the first was fully funded by SAIC, while a follow-on project was funded by the Seafood Innovation Fund (SIF feasibility study).

Read the case study