This project will deliver a working prototype Remotely Operated Vehicle technology for the recovery of scallops from the seafloor in an environmentally sustainable manner.
£184,776.10
12 months
With support funding from the Seafood Innovation Fund, Underwater Contracting Limited (UCO) has successfully completed a project to explore the use of Remotely Operated Technology in environmentally sustainable shellfish recovery. After developing a protype, testing was carried out in locations in the North-East and the West Coast of Scotland where the full potential of this system was seen.
The research and development project was carried out in practical conditions to test the effectiveness of using an ROV system, in place of commercial divers, to recover shellfish. The aim was to prove that the technology can deliver the same or improved yield, whilst maintaining a sustainable approach and limiting environmental impacts on subsea habitats.
The project confirmed that UCO’s patented technology as modified can efficiently harvest shellfish from the sea floor with minimal environmental impact, much like hand-dived products. The use of ROV technology can improve safety for small vessel operations and eliminate the need for diving, with the potential for upscaling over time. This innovation could provide a valuable solution for small commercial producers facing regulatory challenges, rising costs, and a lack of qualified divers.
Underwater Contracting Limited