Over 1000 Coral Reefs Mapped in Northern Australia
through to western Cape York in Queensland have until now been mostly invisible and overlooked in conservation and development planning. The Marine and Coastal Hub project, led by AIMS, and run in partnership with the University of Queensland (UQ), unveiled the reefs which are typically hidden in sediment-rich waters.AIMS e-Atlas Project Manager Dr Eric Lawrey said he first got the idea about 12 years ago, when satellite imagery, such as Google Earth, became ubiquitous. The challenge was that, even on a clear day, it was very difficult to see these reefs as they were often located deep in turbid
Lineup Ocean’s SURFREEF Project in Palavas-les-Flots
The Mediterranean coastline faces significant ecological and economic challenges. The Gulf of Lion, which has been studied for erosion and flooding risks for over 15 years, exemplifies these issues. The reduced sediment supply from rivers—including the Rhône—flowing into the gulf has intensified coastal erosion, a problem further exacerbated by climate change.The increasing frequency and intensity of storms have accelerated beach erosion. Artificial structures built to mitigate this phenomenon, such as rock groynes and breakwaters installed since the 1970s, have often reached their
GeoAcoustics Chooses Celestial Tech as Bangladesh Channel Partner
, river management, and offshore energy projects, the partnership strengthens local access to GeAcoustics sonar systems.Through the partnership, Celestial Tech will provide sales, integration, and first-line support for GeAcoustics systems. This includes solutions optimized for shallow water bathymetry, sediment characterization, and high-resolution seabed imaging, which are all key requirements for inland waterway and coastal survey applications in and around Bangladesh
NextGeo Scoops $33M Terna Deal for HVDC Link Marine Surveys
involves surveys along a marine route of about 280 km linking Lombardy and Lazio as part of Terna’s Hypergrid initiative to strengthen electricity transmission between northern and central-southern Italy.Work will include high-precision seabed surveys to assess morphology, shallow stratigraphy, sediment characteristics and marine ecosystems along the planned cable corridor.The submarine cable section will run from Montalto di Castro to the area near Avenza, with operations expected to begin in the second half of 2026 using multiple survey vessels.The award follows a European tender process launched
GeoForce Hooks Geotechnical Survey for Shetland Subsea Link
Transmission (SSEN Transmission) in developing a roughly 330-kilometre, 2 gigawatt subsea link between Shetland and the Scottish mainland. The project forms part of SSEN Transmission’s long-term “Beyond 2030” network strategy.GeoForce’s scope includes seabed characterisation, sediment analysis and core penetration testing, providing data to support route optimisation and installation design. The work is intended to improve understanding of subsurface conditions and reduce engineering risks ahead of cable installation.The contract builds on an existing relationship between GeoForce
Schmidt Sciences Awards $33m for Global Freshwater Research
the world have evolved under human influence since 1950. By reconstructing the history of rivers and water infrastructure, the project will track how rivers have responded to hydraulic infrastructure, including dams, wells, and streamflow diversions. Their comprehensive study will include discharge, sediment transport, and biodiversity, with a focus on quantifying uncertainty, especially in under-observed river basins.MountAInWater: Water from the Mountains — Global Reanalysis and Future TippingPointsLed by Francesca Pellicciotti, Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA)MountAInWater
Oceanology International 2026 Brings Ashore New COAST Focus
coastal and shallow-water solutions, creating plenty of opportunities for attendees to connect with relevant companies and expertise."COAST will further enhance the traditional Oi program across the exhibition and conference by highlighting developments in coastal protection, erosion control, sediment transport analysis, shoreline stabilization and climate adaptation that support sustainable coastal development and ecosystem protection. Importantly, COAST will be fully integrated into Oi, rather than positioned as a standalone feature, meaning visitors will encounter coastal solutions alongside
New Zealand Weighs Seabed Mining’s Environmental Impact
for its Taranaki project which involves, in each year for 20 years, extraction of up to approximately 50 million tonnes of seabed material, recovery of up to approximately five million tonnes of vanadium-rich titanomagnetite concentrate, and the return of approximately 45 million tonnes of de-ored sediment to the seabed.Some of Fast Track’s findings when rejecting the application are:Extent of benefits: the Panel considers that the project has significant regional benefits and some national benefits. These benefits relate to diversification of the economy, royalties, tax contributions, gross
Teledyne RDI ADCPs Assist Japenese Polymetallic Nodule Mining Deep-Sea Assessment
floor. Installation of Teledyne’s ADCPs, overseen by DRT, is being managed by CSA Ocean Sciences Inc. The instruments were installed by CSA from the vessel Anuanua Moana, owned by Kiva Marine. Acting as in situ sensors, the ADCPs will capture vital data on current direction, turbulence, and sediment plume transport. These instruments will be deployed on deep-sea moorings to monitor conditions across the full water column, delivering continuous insights over extended periods.Teledyne RDI ADCPs are made in USA under ISO 9001 Certification, with each instrument individually handcrafted and tested
February 2026
