Portugal tests deep-sea subsea camera for habitat monitoring

The Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) has acquired and tested a new deep-water subsea camera system (Sea Spyder Deep Water) from Subsea Technology & Rentals to monitor deep-sea habitats and vulnerable marine ecosystems along the Portuguese coast.

• Sea Spyder Deep Water system, including STR SeaTow 6000 electric winch with 6000 m drum capacity and 5000 m coaxial tow cable, was acceptance-tested on 17–18 December aboard the research vessel Mário Ruivo with participation from IPMA, Vórtice-Equipamentos Científicos, Lda., and STR; it enables real-time high‑resolution imaging of the seafloor down to 4000 m for identification and monitoring of deep-sea habitats and Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems (VME) under EU Regulation (EU) 2022/1614.
• The camera system will support management and monitoring plans for Oceanic Marine Protected Areas, contributing to Portugal’s 30x30 target and implementation of the National Network of Marine Protected Areas (RNAMP); the equipment was financed by Programa Operacional Mar 2030 under the projects “Programa Nacional de Amostragem Biológica (PNAB)” and “DQEM-Directiva Quadro Estratégia Marinha” (MAR-014.7.2-FEAMPA-00004) to strengthen national capacity for marine biodiversity assessment, fisheries management, and Good Environmental Status evaluation.