create and use useful remotely controlled underwater fish-like drones

 

 

To legalize and fund manufacturing and use of remotely controlled underwater fish-like drones for various scientific,

infrastructure and safety purposes.

 

 

If this bill were to pass, a multitude of problems that our state has would be solved. For example, according to the US

Geological Survey, the invasive species zebra mussels cause damages in water industries and infrastructure that costs

around one billion dollars per year, and also, according to the University of Minnesota, heavily hurts the ecosystem,

including in lakes that provide 40% of the state's walleye. Fish drones could help stop their spread and infestations by

finding clusters of zebra mussels that are damaging the environment or infrastructure (for example, clogging pipes) and

removing them using customisable tools if necessary. Another use would be to detect when zebra mussels have arrived in a

new lake, giving scientists time to prepare for slowing their spread down.

There are also other uses for a remotely controlled fish drone. According to Axios, outdoors recreation (fishing,

boating, etc.) is important economically for Minnesota, as it is worth around 14 billion in GDP. Protecting these

businesses are important for the economy, and there are many tasks this bill can help with. One such example is

monitoring the water quality, and something that can move around like a fish will be much more efficient for doing this

then a regular floating detector. The fish drone can also be used to inspect the infrastructure of bridge piers, dams,

water intake screens and more safety with much less of a cost. Two other good uses of this technology can be search and

rescue, as in locating people or submerged objects, and assessments of information like fish population and habitat

mapping. How can it have the flexibility to do all these tasks? Well, the design of the fish will include

customisability so that it can do whatever job is required of it.

This bill is also more cost effective than diving. According to the Business of Diving Institute, it can cost anywhere

from almost $ 400 to 1,340 to buy supplies like new or old equipment, much more expensive than using the fish drone. But

why will this drone be better than any regular underwater drone? According to MIT, robotic fish are able to hide in

groups of other fish, which can allow the robotic fish to study them. Being designed like a fish can be overall useful

for getting jobs done.

 

 

Manufacturing- to make an item or thing on a large scale with machinery.

Infrastructure: Basic physical structures/facilities needed for a society or enterprise to operate.

Invasive species: Organism that is not native to a region and is most likely to harm the environment, the economy, or

human health.

Zebra mussels: Dreissena polymorpha, a freshwater mussel that is small. They are native to the caspian sea, but have

spread as an invasive species in various parts of the world. Their shell has alternating light and dark stripes.

Remotely controlled: a device or machine being controlled from a distance.

MIT: Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Colleges: Establishment or institution of the education type, usually providing higher education and/or professional

training.

 

 

Money to fund the law will come from proceedings from the Minnesota State Lottery, ($1-3.5 million) and money from the

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, ($1 million) grants from any colleges planning to use the drones (amount

varies), the US Geological Survey, ($500 thousand- 1 million) and the Environmental Protection Agency ($750 thousand to

1 million, in total from $3.25 to 6.5 million.)

 

 

If fish drones are used for illegal purposes (spying or any damage to the environment or infrastructure), a fine from

$2000 to one million dollars will have to be paid. The size of the fine will depend on how serious the offense is, and

very serious offenses may lead to jail time (from 1 year to 5 years).

 

 

This bill will take effect four months after passage.