The Orkney Skate Trust are developing a project that aims to document Flapper Skate in their natural surroundings using a combination of remote video and specialist diving techniques.

The project, if successful, will be a unique way to gain an insight into skate behaviour as well as collecting the first ever images and video footage of Dipturus intermedia underwater in natural surroundings.

Working with the Aviation Research Group for Orkney and Shetland (ARGOS) the Orkney Skate Trust will use the ARGOS Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) - a Seabotix LBV 150SE2 to send images of Flapper Skate from the seabed to the boat.

Marine Biologist Dan Wise preparing the ROV for a dive

The Seabotix LBV is capable of sending colour as well as monochrome video back to surface along a tether.  The ROV is operated via a top-side console and comes complete with LED and incandescent light sources.

Orkney Skate Trust will also be using the services of specialist scientific divers.  Using a scientific diving team will enable high quality digital stills and high definition video to be collected, as well as gaining closer insights into the behaviour of Flapper Skate in the wild.

The Use of a specialist closed circuit rebreather team is a fantastic method for recording fish behaviour as there are no bubbles exiting the diver which can scare marine life.

For further information on this project please contact the OST.