Technology & Equipments

Orsted and Eversource have joined forces with UConn Avery Point for a multi-year fisheries research program in a significant stride toward understanding the intricate relationship between offshore wind farms and marine ecosystems. This collaborative effort is fuelled by a generous $1.25 million grant from the developers of the 704MW Revolution Wind project, aiming to explore the impact of offshore wind on marine life.

Kicking off this semester, the research program is set to span until 2025 and is anticipated to shed light on crucial aspects of how offshore wind energy aligns with environmental conservation. Recognizing the pivotal role that offshore wind will play in achieving Connecticut’s and the nation’s clean energy objectives, the initiative underscores the commitment to mitigating the effects of climate change on ocean environments and safeguarding marine habitats.

Pamir Alpay, UConn’s Vice President for Research, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship, emphasized the university’s dedication to striking a balance between advancing wind energy technologies and environmental stewardship. He stated, “UConn researchers, including our superb students, have a unique opportunity to help advance sustainable and renewable technologies and study potential impact directly from Connecticut’s shoreline.”

Nicole Verdi, Orsted’s Head of Government Affairs & Policy for New England, highlighted the company’s commitment to coexisting with ocean users and marine wildlife. She expressed pride in partnering with UConn Avery Point, a top-tier public institution in the country, on a research program poised to offer valuable data for informing the clean energy development efforts of the industry while safeguarding marine environments.

This collaborative endeavour signifies a crucial step in responsible and informed offshore wind energy development, aligning with the broader goal of achieving a sustainable and renewable energy future.

Speaking at the ninth convocation of the Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (Kufos) in Kochi on October 31, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chairman S. Somanath emphasized the potential collaboration between space and ocean researchers. He noted that the expertise and methods developed by ISRO, particularly in the use of sensors for exploration, could benefit those delving into the mysteries of the ocean.

Somanath highlighted ISRO’s contributions in using satellites and sensors to measure various oceanic parameters such as surface temperature, wave height, salinity, and sea surges. The organization has also played a role in tsunami prediction and warning, plankton growth discovery, fish school location, and studying the impact of phenomena like El Niño.

Fisheries Minister Saji Cherian expressed the commitment of the State government to closely cooperate with ISRO, utilizing its expertise to enhance the safety of fishermen and improve the living conditions of the fishing community. He mentioned a collaborative agreement similar to that between the Tamil Nadu government and ISRO.

Governor Arif Mohammed Khan celebrated the achievements of Indian science and technology, stating that the nation’s progress has extended from conquering the skies and the moon to setting its sights on the depths of the ocean. He highlighted the upcoming ‘Samudrayaan’ mission, a groundbreaking journey aiming to explore six-kilometre-deep ocean waters. The mission, Khan explained, seeks to study and assess the biodiversity and health of the deep sea in the first manned deep ocean exploration.

Xiaolan town, located in northern Zhongshan, has embraced technologies such as 5G and the Internet of Things (IoT) to revolutionize its aquaculture industry. The town, renowned for its production of Cuirouhuan fish, also known as crispy grass carp, has gained widespread recognition for its innovative approach to fish farming.

Huang Jiahua, a local entrepreneur in his 30s, initiated the digital transformation in 2021 by introducing a smart fishery platform based on cloud technology to his Cuirouhuan aquaculture cooperative. The platform enables real-time monitoring of pond temperatures, water quality, and remote control of automated feeders and aerators through an interactive smart screen.

In the traditional model, fish farming relied on manual labor and experiential knowledge. Huang’s cooperative, however, has witnessed a significant shift, reducing labor costs by approximately 20% and cutting expenses on leased warehouses for feed storage. The investment of over 1.1 million yuan ($150,522) in the smart platform is expected to yield annual savings of about 300,000 yuan, making the investment recoverable within three to four years.

The smart fishery platform has not only streamlined operations but has also contributed to the sustainability of the fish farming industry. Xiaolan town aims to establish a Cuirouhuan industry park spanning approximately 1,000 mu (66.7 hectares), integrating fish farming, distribution, processing, tourism, culinary culture, and agricultural research.

While the technology has proven beneficial in mitigating risks, such as adverse weather conditions, challenges persist. Zhang Weijun, president of the Cuirouhuan farming association in Xiaolan town, highlights the need for improved insurance schemes to minimize losses for farmers in the face of meteorological disasters. The industry faces the demand for more diversified fish farming technologies and corresponding insurance products, especially after an unusual heat wave in May led to significant losses for fish farmers in the region.

Source: China Daily

Global Fishing Watch, a collaborative project initiated by Google, SkyTruth, and Oceana in 2015, has secured a substantial $60 million in funding from The Audacious Project, housed at Ted. The project aims to revolutionize the fight against Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing, a significant threat to marine populations and ocean health.

The funding injection comes at a critical time, with nearly 90 percent of global marine fish stocks either fully exploited or overfished. IUU fishing exacerbates this crisis, annually depleting the ocean of approximately 26 million metric tons of sea life, according to the United Nations.

Global Fishing Watch, renowned for its creation of the first industrial fishing vessel map, plans to utilize the funding to develop a groundbreaking map using technology to track over one million vessels on the ocean. The project will integrate GPS data, satellite imagery, and artificial intelligence to bring transparency to the traditionally opaque fishing industry. Unlike previous attempts, this initiative aims to publicly display the activities of not only industrial fishing vessels but also the myriad small-scale fishing boats and cargo ships navigating the world’s oceans.

In a recent Ted Talk, Tony Long, CEO of Global Fishing Watch, emphasized the urgent need for increased awareness of human activity across the vast expanse of the planet’s surface. Long stated, “Shockingly, little is known about human activity taking place across more than two-thirds of our planet’s surface. This must change if we’re to restore our ocean’s health.”

The innovative approach of combining advanced technologies to make the invisible visible aligns with the organization’s commitment to transforming how ocean management is conducted. Paolo Domondon, the Chief Program Officer, highlighted the significance of gathering comprehensive ocean information, stating, “To protect the ocean, we need to see and understand everything that happens at sea. And we need to empower institutions and people to act on that knowledge.”

This financial support from The Audacious Project represents a pivotal step toward addressing the pressing challenges posed by IUU fishing, marking a turning point in the quest to safeguard marine ecosystems and the future health of the ocean.

A group of ingenious student researchers has unleashed a new weapon – a robot fish named Belle. Crafted by the visionary minds at ETH Zürich, Belle isn’t just an ordinary robot; she’s a silent, underwater spy designed to capture the secrets of marine life without disrupting the delicate balance of the ocean’s ecosystems.

“We wanted to capture the ecosystems as they truly behave,” exclaimed student researcher Leon Guggenheim. “That’s why we developed a fish that behaves like a fish and is embraced by other marine creatures as one.”

Belle’s underwater prowess lies in her ability to mimic the fluid movements of a real fish while maintaining absolute silence. “We want to be as silent as a spy, literally infiltrating and observing marine life,” explained Assistant Professor of Robotics, Robert Katzschmann.

This cybernetic fish, approximately 3 feet in length, boasts a unique design. The electronic and camera-laden “head” is the sole waterproof section, while the “belly” houses the battery, motors, and innovative environmental DNA capture system. Using a sophisticated filter, Belle captures fine particles, including larvae and algae, extracting DNA to unveil the underwater biodiversity.

The silicone-crafted fin, akin to a real fish’s, is equipped with cavities filled and emptied by internal pumps, propelling the nearly 22-pound marvel through the depths. Yet, much like its aquatic counterparts, Belle eventually needs to return home. Incapable of connecting to radio frequencies, it resurfaces after about two hours, emitting a GPS signal for researchers to retrieve their silent spy.

The team’s mission goes beyond technological innovation; it’s about safeguarding the ocean and its inhabitants. “Oceans are under severe pressure from overfishing, pollution, and climate change,” emphasized Guggenheim. “We know too little about them, and it’s hard to gather accurate data on biodiversity in these vast ecosystems.”

Current ocean exploration methods often rely on disruptive unmanned vehicles, potentially harming delicate environments. Katzschmann stressed, “Our goal is not to shred through corals or scare away fish; we aim to explore without leaving a trace.”

Belle, the stealthy robot fish, is poised to revolutionize ocean exploration, unlocking the secrets hidden beneath the waves. As the U.N. emphasizes the critical role of marine biodiversity, Belle’s mission takes centre stage, offering hope for a future where humanity can coexist harmoniously with the lifeblood of Earth – the vast and mysterious ocean.