Ashtead Technology Supports Marine Habitat Survey

Ashtead Technology is proud to support Dumfries & Galloway Solway Coast and Marine Project (SCAMP), a major marine conservation programme. SCAMP is the UK’s first project under the Landscape Connections Programme and has recently secured £8 million in funding to restore and protect vital coastal and marine habitats across the Solway Firth.

Our contribution to this initiative involves the deployment of our Mini Drop Camera system, developed by Ashtead Technology’s specialist team. Designed for versatility and reliability in challenging subsea environments, the Mini Drop Camera is typically used in offshore energy operations. For this project, however, it played a central role in supporting SCAMP’s environmental objectives by capturing high-resolution video footage of sensitive seagrass meadows in Loch Ryan.

Enabling Precision Habitat Monitoring

Seagrass habitats are critical components of healthy marine ecosystems. They act as carbon sinks, support biodiversity and provide nursery grounds for many commercially important fish species. Despite their ecological value, the full extent of seagrass meadows along the Dumfries & Galloway coastline remains largely unmapped.

Using our Mini Drop Camera, deployed from the local vessel Abyss, Ashtead Technology helped capture detailed seabed imagery, providing SCAMP’s marine scientists and environmental planners with essential data to assess the current state of these habitats and guide restoration activities.

“It was a great day on the water for Ashtead Technology, supporting Dumfries & Galloway Council’s SCAMP project,” said Gad Habiby, Sales Manager, at Ashtead Technology, following a recent surveillance trip on Loch Ryan. “We are honoured to have been selected to support this initiative and are pleased to contribute our environmental monitoring technologies to SCAMP. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with SCAMP and other partners, driving forward positive environmental change in the marine space.”

Versatility in Action

The Mini Drop Camera is a compact, rugged solution designed for efficient subsea inspections. Its application in this marine conservation context demonstrates its flexibility beyond the offshore energy sector. Whether capturing structural detail of underwater infrastructure or documenting fragile ecological features, the system provides clear, reliable footage in real-time.

The success of the SCAMP survey not only validates the Mini Drop Camera’s performance in shallow, sediment-sensitive environments but also highlights Ashtead Technology’s broader capability in marine environmental monitoring.

A Commitment to Sustainability

Ashtead Technology is committed to supporting sustainable marine practices and delivering innovative technology solutions to customers across various sectors. Our involvement in SCAMP reflects our belief in the importance of technological support for environmental restoration and monitoring projects.