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The general objective of the project is to consolidate the LanderPick system as a basis for the permanent monitoring of environmental conditions in the deep marine areas of the Natura 2000 Network (Intemares) from fleets of small landers.

To this end, the following specific objectives have been established:

1. Manufacture and use testing of a new second-generation LanderPick vehicle prototype with improved performance.
2. Completion of the long-term anchoring experience at El Cachucho.
3. Manufacture of new lander fleets and deployment of medium-long term anchorages in other Natura 2000-Intemares network areas.
4. Planning of environmental condition monitoring schemes from fleets of landers in the rest of the national deep areas of the Natura network.
5. Dissemination of the LanderPick technology and the project.

The LanderPick-3 project (Pleamar 2021 call), completed on October 3, 2022, has constituted the third phase of the LanderPick and LanderPick-2 projects. With this initiative it has been possible to:

• Advance the prototype of the vehicle, with a second improved version.
• To complete the works in the SAC of El Cachucho started in LanderPick-2.
• Expand the sampling system to other deep areas of Intemares.

On the other hand, the goal was to analyse and prepare documentation with which to explain how lander fleets can help to monitor environmental conditions in different national deep areas of the Natura 2000/Intemares network, involving research and management personnel from different regions and disciplines.

The LanderPick-3 project has been structured in 7 activities that included the manufacture of a second prototype vehicle, manufacture and preparation of new landers (10 units to cover two new fleets of five landers each) and photogrammetry calibration structures (6), collection and release campaigns in the Cachucho SAC and launch in two other Spanish Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) (collection was not contemplated due to deadlines) and the carrying out of A workshop for the design of strategies for monitoring environmental conditions with fleets of landers. In addition, an exclusive dissemination activity was proposed.

The project has been a real challenge due to the tight deadlines. The manufacture of the new prototype vehicle, as well as the new landers, had to be tendered in record time, in conditions of high inflation and material supply problems.

The adjustments to the calendar established the work windows in May for El Cachucho and the SCI of the mud volcanoes of the Gulf of Cadiz, and in July for the SAC of the Escarpes de Mazarrón. This adjusted the need to have the new landers available on those precise dates.

To cover the dissemination, an ambitious plan for participation in international congresses was established. Most of the objectives were met as planned, so the project manager considers their execution to be very successful.

We can conclude that the LanderPick system has established itself as a new tool that will allow us to launch landers systematically and efficiently in national Marine Protected Areas. In addition, as a culmination of the three projects, the video “Observing the deep ocean | Landerpick Projects” on the channel of the Spanish Institute of Oceanography. An excellent material to consult the operation of this new system.