Abstract
This paper presents an overview of new systems used in benthic habitat studies at the Bedford Institute of Oceanography. These new systems include towed, profiling and moored instruments. A partial list of sensors used in these systems includes high resolution video, silhouette cameras, hydraulic bottom grab, surficial floc sampler, water bottles and a near bottom multi-level water sampler. These systems have been used to study the effects of otter trawling on benthic habitat and biological communities and/or the fate of particulate drilling wastes around offshore rigs.