January 2026
Unique Group, global leaders in subsea technologies and engineering, has supported a major marine restoration initiative at Loch Melfort, Scotland, by deploying advanced sea-going unmanned survey technology, Uni-Mini Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV) to help identify the most suitable locations for oyster reintroduction and the protection of critical marine habitats.
Loch Melfort: Oyster Restoration and Habitat Protection
Loch Melfort, located on the Kilchoan Estate south of Oban in Argyll, hosts an ongoing native European flat oyster restoration project and serves as a sanctuary for the critically endangered flapper skate. Restoration efforts at the loch have been boosted through the use of experimental marine robotics capable of delivering detailed environmental insights in areas where traditional survey methods are limited.
Collaboration between Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS) Enterprise, Unique Group and the University of Glasgow
The project brings together scientists and robotics engineers from the Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS) Enterprise team, Unique Group, and the University of Glasgow. Following a successful trial of autonomous surface vehicles, the collaboration is now planning a major survey of the loch to support long-term restoration planning.
Survey Objective: Building a Habitat Suitability Model
The aim of the survey is to use marine robotics to accurately survey Loch Melfort—whose shoreline extends more than 22 kilometres—in order to build a detailed habitat suitability model. This model will inform the most effective sites for reintroducing European flat oysters and indicate where flapper skate are most likely to lay their eggs. Researchers involved in the project note that a successful habitat suitability model for Loch Melfort could pave the way for similar approaches to be developed for comparable habitats elsewhere.
Technology Deployed: Uni-Mini USV with Ping DSP Sonar
To support the trial, Unique Group deployed its fully electric Uni-Mini Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV) integrated with Ping DSP sonar technology. Designed for low-logistics, low-impact operations, the Uni-Mini USV can be hand-launched from remote shorelines and operate safely in ultra-shallow and environmentally sensitive areas that are inaccessible to conventional manned vessels. The platform enabled the collection of high-resolution bathymetric data and seabed imagery essential for habitat modelling.
Statement from SAMS Enterprise
Dr Phil Anderson, Head of the Scientific Robotics Academy at SAMS Enterprise, said:
“Marine and airborne robotic systems can completely transform the way we conduct and monitor restoration projects in Scotland.
These systems can give us more coverage of an area, more quickly, collecting data that we’ve previously needed humans to record – such activity requires a lot of people over a long period of time.
Although the potential of robotics is therefore clear to see, there is some hard work to be done in fine-tuning how that will be done. That’s what we are working on now with these Loch Melfort trials and we are fortunate to have a fantastic collaboration that draws on different expertise, covering engineering, physics and biology.”
Next Steps: Full Survey Planned and Trial Data Under Analysis
Researchers will use sensors on board the robotic platforms to measure current velocity and sonar systems to map the bathymetry of the loch. The full survey is planned for early next year, with data from the trial phase currently being analysed to inform the next steps.
Statement from Kilchoan Melfort Trust
Marnik van Cauter, Charity Director at Kilchoan Melfort Trust, said:
“It is rewarding to see how our mission to restore the once-abundant native oyster population in Loch Melfort has brought together a network of expert organisations, helping to develop tools that will support marine restoration and conservation projects not only here at Kilchoan, but hopefully across Scotland.”
Statement from Unique Group
Chris Blake, Vice President for Survey at Unique Group, said:
“Unique Group is proud to support the Kilchoan Melfort Trust, SAMS and the University of Glasgow in advancing marine rewilding efforts at Loch Melfort. By deploying our fully electric Uni-Mini Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV) with Ping DSP technology, we delivered high-resolution bathymetry in ultra-shallow and environmentally sensitive areas that are inaccessible to traditional vessels.
This collaboration provided the detailed seabed insights needed to guide habitat suitability modelling and support the long-term restoration of native European flat oyster populations. We look forward to continuing our partnership on initiatives that enhance sustainability, protect marine ecosystems and drive positive environmental impact.”
Statement from University of Glasgow
Dr Anna McGregor, Senior Lecturer in Ecology & Environmental Change at the University of Glasgow, said:
“Oysters require a specific set of conditions to grow well, and after supporting Kilchoan Estate’s excellent oyster restoration work for several years to collect data on some of the biological aspects, I’m very excited to be working together with SAMS Enterprise and Unique Group to take that work a step further.
Having the additional data available from the survey capabilities brought together through this collaboration fills in several key parameters about the physical environment that should enable us to create a much more complete picture about where oysters grow best.”
Supporting Sustainable Marine Ecosystem Through Marine Robotics
By combining advanced unmanned survey technology with a collaborative, science-led approach, Unique Group continues to demonstrate how marine robotics can play a practical and meaningful role in supporting sustainable marine ecosystems and scalable restoration initiatives.
