The Ocean Groundfish Observatory is a two-component system using acoustical and optical sampling techniques to assess groundfish stocks. The first component is a stationary acoustic-optic platform mounted on the seafloor. The acoustic-optic platform uses a combination of active sonar, a low-light video camera and a suite of sensors to monitor fish activity and environmental conditions near the platform.

The second component is an autonomous underwater vehicle called FINTAN, fitted with five low-light deep sea cameras, which is being developed in conjunction with Lockheed Martin Sippican. Prototypes of both the acoustic-optic platform and FINTAN are currently being tested under various conditions for increasingly longer periods of time and in successively remote locations.

For additional information, please contact:

Steve Cadrin
University of Massachusetts Dartmouth
School for Marine Science and Technology
200 Mill Road - Suite 325
Fairhaven, MA 02719
Email: steven.cadrin@noaa.gov
Office: 508-910-6858
Fax: 508-910-6396

Dave Martins
University of Massachusetts Dartmouth
School for Marine Science and Technology
200 Mill Road - Suite 325
Fairhaven, MA 02719
Email: dmartins@umassd.edu
Office: 508-910-6392
Fax: 508-910-6396