Boxfish Robotics knows that mesophotic ecosystems, found between 30 and 150 meters deep, are difficult to study using traditional diving methods. Find out more >>
Depth limits, safety concerns, and logistical challenges make consistent access to these habitats difficult. For Professor James Bell and his team at Victoria University of Wellington (VUW), the Boxfish Alpha ROV has become central to overcoming these barriers.
With a depth rating of 300 meters, extended battery capacity, and compact transportability, this remotely operated vehicle (ROV) allows the group to carry out high-resolution surveys and sampling across a range of mesophotic sites around New Zealand. It has supported biological discovery, environmental monitoring, and national conservation initiatives, all while reducing the need for technical diving.
Scuba diving is limited beyond approximately 30 meters, restricting access to mesophotic environments. The Boxfish Alpha ROV has enabled routine observation and sample collection from sites as deep as 130 meters, extending the team’s reach well beyond conventional dive limits. Its battery performance and fast-charging design allow for sustained daily operations in the field.
High-resolution video and still imagery were key requirements for the VUW team. The Boxfish Alpha’s uncompressed 4K video and 20MP RAW photography support detailed classification and mapping of benthic habitats. Its ability to stream footage live to researchers on the surface has enhanced collaborative survey work on board.
Portability was also critical. The ROV’s modular build and air-travel compliant battery system allow it to be transported as checked luggage, enabling flexible deployment from a range of locations around New Zealand.
The VUW group has conducted over 100 Boxfish deployments in New Zealand waters, documenting mesophotic communities in areas such as Fiordland and Wellington. Their footage has revealed dense sponge gardens, red coral-like assemblages, and other diverse habitats not previously recorded. These observations are being used to inform regional coastal management plans.
The high-definition video collected during these missions is used to support habitat classification efforts with agencies including Wellington Regional Council, Environment Southland, and the Department of Conservation. The team uses the footage to define and describe mesophotic biotopes, helping standardize classification of deep reef systems.
Assessing Heatwave Impacts
In 2022, a marine heatwave caused extensive sponge bleaching in Fiordland. The Boxfish Alpha enabled the team to document the full extent of the event, confirming that bleaching extended into mesophotic depths. This survey would not have been possible with diver-based methods alone.
3D Seafloor Modelling
The team is also using the ROV for photogrammetry to assess reef structure and habitat complexity. By combining video capture with laser scaling and deploying visual markers via the ROV’s robotic arm, they have created high-resolution 3D models of mesophotic seafloor environments. These models are used to monitor spatial changes and understand structural drivers of biodiversity.
Deepwater Sampling & Monitoring
The Boxfish Alpha has been used to collect black coral samples from nearly 100 meters depth as part of a Department of Conservation project on species connectivity. The manipulator arm allowed precise sampling of small fragments, minimizing disturbance to live specimens.
The ROV has also supported an ongoing monitoring program of mesophotic communities in Fiordland, initiated in 2018. This long-term effort, supported by DOC and Environment Southland, is likely the first of its kind globally for mesophotic reef habitats.
Supporting Functional Ecology Research
In collaboration with Dr Alice Rogers, the VUW team is using the ROV as part of a Marsden Fund project to explore ecological function at mesophotic depths. The Boxfish Alpha has been used to conduct biodiversity surveys, place temperature loggers, deploy light traps, and collect specimens for isotope analysis.
Outreach & Education
The stability of the ROV has enabled the team to mount 360-degree cameras for use in creating virtual reality content. These materials have been used in school outreach programs to communicate marine science and provide interactive experiences. The team has also introduced students to ROV piloting in controlled pool settings as part of their engagement work.
Protected Species Distribution
As part of a Department of Conservation-funded study, the group has used the Boxfish to document the distribution of Antipathella fiordensis, a protected black coral species. Previously known mostly from Fiordland, the team’s data has extended its confirmed range as far north as Northland. Coral has now been recorded beyond 100 meters in several Fiordland Marine Areas.
Platform Overview: Boxfish Alpha
The Boxfish Alpha ROV combines imaging capability, modular design, and flexible deployment options. It delivers 4K live video and high-resolution stills, along with environmental data collection. With 6 degrees of freedom, robotic manipulators, and compatibility with additional sensors, it supports a wide range of marine science applications. Its portability allows it to be operated from small vessels, research platforms, or even ice-covered environments.
Professor James Bell, Victoria University of Wellington, commented, “Our work would not be possible without the Boxfish Alpha. The key element that for us separates the Boxfish from other ROVs in a similar class if the quality of the video footage obtained and the easy of deployment.
“We also really value the support, help and advice provided by the Boxfish technical and support team in assisting with our operations, they have always been on call to help with any issues we have, and worked with us to developed bespoke options for our ROV to enable us to complete complex and unusual tasks.”
Read the original article, or visit the Boxfish Robotics website for more information.
