Seabed Surveying

Cefas has the technology and expertise to undertake seabed surveying using both traditional survey techniques and acoustic technology.  We produce habitat maps which provide fundamental information for the sustainable management of marine resources.  Many anthropogenic activities impinge upon the seabed, such as commercial fishing, dredging and aggregate extraction. 

Acoustic mapping techniques provide a cost-effective means of surveying large areas of the sea floor. By combining benthic ecology with our acoustic technology we can assess the biodiversity status in relation to both natural and anthropogenic influences on various spatial scales.

Services and equipment

• Benthic ecology
• Marine mapping
• Baseline survey
• Research vessel Cefas Endeavour with excellent capabilities in acoustic systems
• Sidescan & multibeam sonar
• Ground truthing techniques
• video camera, sledge, sediment profile camera
• sediment grabs
• beam trawls
• Data analysis and interpretation of multiple layers
• Geographical Information Systems (GIS)
• Sediment transport monitoring