Investigation of bottom habitant diversity in great Peter Bay using semi AUV TSL

One of IMTP projects is connected with investigation of structures and functioning of marine ecosystems on the shelf. Information from different sources is accumulated in database for integrated analysis and study of dynamic of ecosystem elements functioning. Important task here is connected with aggregation search and colony density estimation of bottom objects by methods that do not disturb the conditions and biosphere of inquiry subjects. IMTP and TINRO-centre in 2001-2002 years fulfilled conjoint research for diversity investigation and colony density estimation of bottom objects in Great Peter Bay using semi autonomous underwater vehicle TSL. TSL is a specialized self-propelled underwater vehicle with data-command link to operator on supporting ship by light fiber-optical cable. Operations were conducted on depth up to 90 meters. Approach to ecology monitoring on marine shelf by semi AUV TSL use and some experimental results are described in the paper.