Why SPI?
Learn more about the benefits of using SPI (Sediment Profile Imaging) technology.
Kersey Sturdivant, PhD
VP of Data Acquisition
DATA ACQUISITION: SURVEY AND MONITORING
We deliver defensible survey and monitoring data across offshore energy, dredged material management, aquaculture, coastal resilience, and infrastructure using the full toolbox of conventional and non-extractive methods, led by world-recognized expertise in marine resource assessment.
Overview
INSPIRE designs and delivers integrated survey and monitoring programs to support baseline characterizations, impact assessments post development, and asset performance. Our work covers seafloor habitats, fisheries resources, and structures such as foundations and cables. By combining high-resolution imaging, acoustic mapping, and targeted sampling, we generate defensible data that supports confident environmental and asset decisions across marine and freshwater environments worldwide.
Seafloor
Understanding the complex dynamics of seabed habitats
As the original developers of Sediment Profile Imaging (SPI), our staff brings unparalleled expertise in image-based benthic assessment utilizing: SPI – optical core images that replace grab sampling; Plan View Imaging (PV) – high-resolution aerial views of the seabed from drop-cameras; and images obtained via remotely operated vehicles (ROVs). While we are well-versed in non-extractive survey techniques, more importantly, we focus on selecting the right tool for your specific objectives, site conditions, and regulatory requirements. We draw from a full suite of non-extractive imaging and conventional sampling methods to ensure you receive efficient, defensible results tailored to your project.
Fisheries
Understanding dynamics of fisheries and fisheries species
INSPIRE brings recognized leadership in fisheries data acquisition, including baited remote underwater video (BRUV) and acoustic telemetry. We deploy the full toolbox of non-extractive and conventional methods to characterize species presence, fishing activity, and habitat use, delivering defensible datasets for impact assessment, coexistence planning, and long-term monitoring across diverse marine environments.
Structures and Asset Integrity
Delivering high-quality data on marine infrastructure condition
INSPIRE delivers advanced, image-led inspection and monitoring of subsea and coastal assets using ROV video, acoustic tools, and complementary survey technologies. We generate high-quality condition datasets on structures, seabed interaction, and biological colonization to support asset owners, engineers, and regulators in risk-based maintenance, lifecycle planning, and compliance across complex marine environments.
Meet Our Staff
DATA ACQUISITION EXPERTS
Kristy Gustafson, BS
Field Logistics Manager
Mitchell Kennedy, BS
Field Operations Manager
Related Projects
Acoustic Telemetry Monitoring of Highly Migratory Fish Species
INSPIRE scientists have partnered with the Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life at the New England Aquarium to conduct the first regional monitoring effort of highly migratory species’ movements, presence, and persistence in and around multiple wind energy areas located off Southern New England.
Related Projects
US EPA Dredged Material Monitoring
Our data scientists worked closely with representatives from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to develop an intuitive database for EPA to utilize in tracking dredging projects and beneficial use applications. This database combined two previously separate work streams to improve management of dredged sediment and coastal resources.
Related Projects
South Fork Offshore Wind Project
We collected SPI/PV imagery at 161 stations within the proposed South Fork Wind Farm, along the transmission cable route, and at reference stations. A comprehensive report summarizing sediment types, bedforms, and types of biota observed was provided to BOEM as an Appendix to the COP.
Stay Informed
Explore Related Resources
South Fork Wind Farm Storymap
Learn more about our South Fork Wind benthic monitoring program.
The Role of Fishery-Independent Bottom Trawl Surveys in Providing Regional and Temporal Context to Offshore Wind Farm Monitoring Studies
The Role of Fishery-Independent Bottom Trawl Surveys in Providing Regional and Temporal Context to Offshore Wind Farm Monitoring Studies
Development of offshore wind (OSW) farms in the United States while minimizing impacts to fishery resources is a common goal of state and federal government agencies, environmental interest groups, and fisheries organizations.