Laser OPC on an Autonomuos Underwater Vehicle

We propose funding of equipment for making measurements on marine zooplankton. Our aim is to combine the very latest within optical instruments and Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUV). This approach has the potential to greatly improve the way we monitor marine zooplankton and the marine environment. The newly developed Laser Optical Plankton Counter (LOPC) has several advantages compared to the conventional Optical Plankton Counter (OPC) among them an object outline feature that can be used in identification of zooplankton/nekton. In addition it is much smaller which makes it better suited for operation in an AUV. The HUGIN AUV is developed by the Norwegian Defence Research Establishment (FFI) and has proven a superior instrument platform for offshore sub-surface applications. It can carry a wide range of instruments and can operate independent for days at depths down to 3000 m. AUV surveys generally increases the spatial and temporal coverage of sampling and reduces the need for expensive thip time. Establishing such an approach will take effect beyond the scope of this proposal. Since the HUGIN AUV can be used for a wide range of marine scientific purposes, a consortium is currently under development at the University of Tromsø covering the disciplines marine biology, geology and physics. The continuation of this investment will be to apply this leading edge technology to address important aspects of the marine environment.