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Autonomous vehicles are capable of independent operation, and can be used for monitoring and control in a variety of applications, leading to improved sustainability in aquaculture, environmental management and related areas. Applications of such vehicles in aquaculture have been documented more heavily in recent years. They have been used for applications such as: the reduction of bird predation, monitoring water quality parameters, or for other agricultural or Aquacultural applications. Autonomous boats and airplanes have been designed and built for monitoring and potentially managing aquacultural facilities, natural water bodies and for drinking water in urban reservoirs. These boats are solar powered and capable of gathering environmental information. Sustainability may be improved via more environmentally friendly operations, reductions in labor costs and the avoidance of difficult or dangerous operations for humans. Thus, autonomous boats can be used for monitoring water quality parameters, reducing biological pests or unwanted predators, and can do so in an environmentally friendly manner which improves sustainability.