The oceans cover over 70% of the Earth. They regulate the planet's climate, are home to 80% of life on Earth, act as carbon sinks, and support billions of people. As an avid swimmer and surfer, I find the oceans simply amazing.
Yet the world's oceans face unprecedented threats, including pollution, overfishing and climate change, which are undermining the health of the ecosystems that support all life on Earth.
In an era of rapid technological advancements, innovative solutions are emerging to help repair losses. From autonomous drones and AI to blockchain and even A Tinder-inspired fundraising appA wave of new technological tools is transforming marine conservation.
Underwater Satellite
German startup PlanBlue has developed an “underwater satellite” called DiveRay that will be used to map the ocean floor.
Only 5% of the ocean has been explored, and large gaps remain in our knowledge about how the ocean works and the impacts of human activities.
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DiveRay is equipped with high-resolution cameras and navigation sensors, and AI algorithms automatically process this data and turn it into interactive maps of everything from coral reefs to seagrass meadows.
Researchers around the world use PlanBlue's technology to study the health of underwater ecosystems. Scientists also use DiveRay to track the progress of restoration efforts like coral farming.
PlanBlue recently partnered with Dutch surveying giant Fugro to expand its technology, and the company is also working to make DiveRay compatible with underwater robots that can be programmed to scan much larger areas than human divers can.
An app to combat overfishing
Although we still know very little about the seafloor, the scale of overfishing in the oceans is well documented: almost 90 percent of the world's marine fish stocks are now completely depleted. Exploited, overexploited, or depleted.
You might think that stopping eating fish is the solution, and you might be right. But the reality is Billions of people Seafood is an important source of food and income.
Based in Cape Town, South Africa, ABALOBI is an app and tracking platform that aims to kill two birds with one stone: it wants to tackle overfishing while simultaneously supporting local fishermen who depend on the fishing industry for their income.
The platform is built around three apps: the first allows fishermen to upload details of their daily catch into an encrypted database – only fish that were caught legally and within sustainable catch limits can be uploaded.
Restaurants and homeowners can then purchase the fish at a fair price through the Marketplace app, with the majority of the profits going directly to the fishermen who caught them.
“This technology will enable fishermen to connect to a fair and transparent digital market and earn a better livelihood from ecologically resilient fish stocks,” ABALOBI founder Serge Reijmaekers told TNW.
ABALOBI allows fishermen to receive a fair price for less valuable but more abundant fish species, reducing pressure on species such as lobster and tuna that are in decline.
ABALOBI's technology is currently used by partner organizations in 12 countries, including Chile, Madagascar, Croatia and Ireland. The startup launched last year Earthshot Awards.
3D Printed Coral Reef
Overfishing has a direct impact on fish populations, but climate change is making the oceans warmer and more acidic, which is taking a toll on coral reefs, one of the ocean's most precious habitats.
Over the past 30 years, half With 70% of the world's coral reefs dead and disappearing, Coastruction, a startup based in Rotterdam, Netherlands, wants to print and revive coral reefs.
Founded by Italian computer scientist and entrepreneur Nadia Fani, Coastruction has devised a way to 3D print intricate reef-like structures.
Coastruction uses specialized 3D printers to build up concrete layer by layer, creating complex geometric shapes — the more complex the shapes, the more crevices there are for marine life to grab hold of.
Coastruction consults with marine scientists to determine the most appropriate designs and materials for specific underwater locations. “We are creating artificial reefs that mimic real reefs as closely as possible,” says Fani.
The 3D structures will then be installed underwater on coastlines around the world, from the Maldives to Saudi Arabia. Over time, they will become habitat for fish, new coral and algae. And if there are enough of them, they will also act as barriers to protect coastal cities from storms and erosion.
Coastruction is now looking to scale up its operations, building new printers and seeking further investment.
The startup's main target market is ecotourism, specifically private resorts that want to restore damaged coral reefs to attract more tourists. But it has also attracted interest from port authorities, offshore wind farms and governments.
Like all efforts to protect our oceans, Coastruction's technology is still just a drop in the ocean compared to the problems at hand, but together, efforts like this could help turn the tide.
