IMPACTS OF REMOTELY OPERATED VEHICLES (ROVS) ON THE BEHAVIOR OF MARINE ANIMALS - AN EXAMPLE USING AMERICAN LOBSTERS

The effects of Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) on the behavior of ma rine animals have not been thoroughly studied despite the increasing u se of these systems in depths beyond those that can be safely reached with SCUBA. We studied the effects of an ROV on the feeding behavior o f juvenile clawed American lobsters Homarus americanus under laborator y and field conditions. The presence of the ROV in an operational stat e significantly reduced feeding activities. ROV lights and the sounds produced by electric thrusters, presented separately to the laboratory -held lobsters, reduced some feeding activities. Simultaneous presenta tion of the thruster sound and the lights was even more effective in d iminishing feeding activities. Outputs of the camera and electronic fl ash inhibited feeding activities and occasionally initiated an escape response. In the field, feeding activities in the presence of an ROV w ith lights and thrusters off were not significantly different from tho se observed by a small stationary video camera with no lights. If an R OV is to be used for obtaining behavioral data, we suggest it be held stationary, without strobe flashes. The sound and light associated wit h normal operation should be minimized, perhaps by using quieter thrus ter motors and either infrared illumination or low-light cameras.