Bass Strait marine life is being filmed as part of the preparations for the Project Marinus electricity link between Tasmania and Victoria.
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"This latest marine survey is part of building the scientific data informing the rigorous environmental and technical processes that will enable us to sensitively build this national priority infrastructure," Marinus Link head of stakeholder relations, land and environment Benjamin White said.
Hobart-headquartered marine survey specialist Marine Solutions has started the survey, which is expected to take about a week, depending on weather.
"The survey will use underwater video to capture images of the fauna which live on the seafloor, and sensitive seabed habitats such as reefs, outcrops, sponge gardens and seagrasses," TasNetworks' Project Marinus general manager, Bess Clark, said.
"The non-intrusive survey ... will examine dozens of underwater sites along the proposed route of the interconnector from the shore of Heybridge in Northern Tasmania.'
The Victorian coastline near the Waratah Bay connection point would be surveyed later.
Marine Solutions owner and director Sam Ibbott said the survey would involve cameras at depths of up to 60 metres.
They would be towed above the seabed to avoid disturbance.
"We'll be recording images at a whole range of points along the cable route across Bass Strait as part of the approvals process to make sure we're not impacting any threatened or protected species," Mr Ibbott said.
"We often partner with large businesses on the mainland or overseas to provide our services, but it's very nice to be working in our own back yard for a change."
Mr White said: "The fact that we can do it with a Tasmanian vessel and Tasmanian crew shows we are serious about sharing the vast economic, environmental and community benefits of Marinus Link with locals."
The $3.5 billion Project Marinus will involve about 345 kilometres of electricity cable, including about 255 kilometres in the sea.
It will also include a telecommunications connection.
"Marinus Link is a key to unlocking Australia's clean energy future, as it will provide access to Tasmania's Battery of the Nation deep storage to back up wind and solar power and keep it reliable and affordable," Mr White said.
"Along with downward pressure on prices and a more reliable grid, Project Marinus will cut emissions, deliver 2800 direct and indirect jobs in both Tasmania and Victoria and unlock a pipeline of future renewable energy development, with thousands more jobs."
The first of the two electricity cables is targeted to be commissioned and start commercial operations in 2027-28 and the second in 2029-30.
The proponents say the project would cut at least 70 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions by 2040, equivalent to taking about 500,000 cars off the road.