AYIA NAPA, Cyprus – A fleet of autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) is set to revolutionize the monitoring and data collection process for offshore artificial reefs aimed at enhancing marine ecosystems in desolate sea areas. The announcement was made by officials on Monday, revealing that these submersibles will be equipped with advanced sensors and high-definition cameras to track the effectiveness of artificial reefs constructed using cutting-edge 3D printing technology at the Cyprus Marine and Maritime Institute.
Crafted from an eco-friendly cement mixture, the artificial reefs will feature a charging station where the AUVs can dock to recharge and transmit vital data, including video footage. Zakarias Siokouros, the CEO of CMMI, highlighted the significance of these drones, as they can remain submerged for up to a month, continuously gathering data and safeguarding the reefs by promptly alerting scientists to any unauthorized activities like illegal fishing or approaching vessels in protected marine zones.
The ongoing trial project, named EONIOS, is currently underway near the Ayia Napa marina, with plans to deploy the artificial reefs off the southern coast of Limassol, situated at a depth of approximately 20 meters (66 feet) to ensure adequate sunlight penetration to the seabed. Siokouros emphasized that these reefs are designed to attract various marine life forms, from vegetation to larger fish, addressing the scarcity of food resources for fish in Cypriot waters.
EONIOS is the result of a collaborative effort between CMMI, AUV manufacturer Arkeocean from France, Cypriot tech firm SignalGeneriX, and French consultancy company Lanego. Siokouros expressed the ambition to expand EONIOS to other countries interested in bolstering their fish populations through artificial reef systems.
A distinguishing feature of the AUVs is their ability to offer surveillance, 3D data acquisition, and area protection at a significantly lower cost compared to conventional tethered submersibles, as stated by Arkeocean representative Tamara Brizard. These compact drones are currently capable of carrying up to 5 kilograms (11 pounds) of equipment and can operate at depths of up to 300 meters (984 feet), with plans for future models to reach depths of 3,000 meters (9,842 feet). Controlled via an acoustic antenna, the AUVs boast battery-powered thrusters, ensuring silent and discreet operation, making them invaluable for defense applications such as surveillance in restricted waters.
Furthermore, these AUVs can navigate using undersea currents, effectively extending their battery life. Beyond marine conservation, they also hold promise in energy-related industries, being utilized for tasks like detecting seismic activities for offshore oil and gas exploration or scouting suitable locations for offshore wind and solar farms, according to Brizard. Operating globally via an Iridium satellite antenna, these versatile drones represent a cutting-edge solution for a wide array of underwater applications.
