Transects in the deep: Opportunities with tele-operated resident seafloor robots

Scientific, industrial and societal needs call urgently for the development establishment of intelligent, cost-effective ecologically sustainable monitoring protocols robotic platforms continuous exploration marine ecosystems. Internet Operated Vehicles (IOVs) such as crawlers, provide a versatile alternative to conventional observing sampling tools, being tele-operated, (semi-) permanent mobile capable operating on deep coastal seafloor. Here we present outstanding observations made by crawler “Wally” in last decade at Barkley Canyon (BC, Canada, NE Pacific) methane hydrates site, part NEPTUNE cabled observatory. The followed evolution microhabitats formed around biotic and/or abiotic structural features site (e.g., field egg towers buccinid snails, colonized boulder). Furthermore, episodic events fresh biomass input were observed (i.e., mass transport large gelatinous particles, scavenging dead jellyfish arrival macroalgae from shallower depths). Moreover, report numerous faunal behaviors sablefish rheo- phototaxis, behavioral reactions swimming or resting patterns further fish species, encounters with octopuses various crab intra- interspecific interactions). We animal both natural artificial stimuli crawler’s movement light systems). These diverse showcase different capabilities modern platform science offshore industry. Its long deployments mobility enable its efficiency combining repeatability long-term studies versatility opportunistically observe rarely seen incidents when they occur, highlighted here. Finally, critically assess empirically recorded ecological footprint potential impacts operations benthic ecosystem together solutions mitigate them into future.