Wendy Laursen
Contributing Writer-
The Fate of Macroalgae and Why it Matters
Macroalgae, or seaweeds (including kelp), are highly productive coastal habitats capable of absorbing significant quantities of atmospheric carbon dioxide. Previous studies have estimated that globally, 4–44 teragrams (1Tg = one million metric tons) per year of macroalgal-derived carbon may reach depths of 200m, where it may be sequestered for at least 100 years.TheFebruary issue of Marine Technology Reporter magazine includes a feature on the fate of macroalgae in southwest Greenland.
-
The Coldest Place in the Universe
A UK company has reached a temperature of minus 273.149996°C in the quantum technology it uses in its atomic clock, effectively creating the coldest place in the universe. It’s a high-tech solution for an age-old problem: accurate navigation at sea without the support of satellite systems.Alexander Jantzen, Co-founder & Chief Operating Officer at Aquark Technologies, explains: “At the beginning of the 18th century…
-
Taking Quantum Logic to the Edge
Jason Turner, Chairman and CEO of Entanglement, started the AI quantum computing company in 2017. He quickly realized it was too early. Rather than focus on quantum computing hardware, which is still on the journey to maturity, he chose to focus on quantum logic, and quantum inspired algorithms applicable to existing compute technologies.He and his team therefore turned their attention to using quantum logic.
-
More to Consider than CO2 in CCS Leakage Risks
Researchers from the Technical University of Denmark have highlighted that taking a comprehensive view of the chemical composition of potential fluids leaking from geological CO2 storage reservoirs raises new questions about the potential risks.The study, published in the Journal of Environmental Management, says, albeit small, the risk of failures during operations and storage does exist.Different…
-
Robotics Essential to Coral Reef Preservation Efforts
Will 2026 be the year when coral reefs pass their tipping point?Samantha Garrard, Senior Marine Ecosystem Services Researcher at Plymouth Marine Laboratory, asked the question in The Conversation on January 5.“Tropical coral reefs cover less than 1% of the seafloor, yet support 25% of all marine species. They are also incredibly vulnerable. Over the past few decades, an estimated 30%-50% have already been lost.”Garrard concludes: “To help these biodiversity powerhouses survive the 21st century…
-
Subsea Cable Risk a Mix of Bathymetry and Geopolitics
A new study undertaken by a group of researchers from the UAE, Canada, Japan, and Taiwan collates a range of statistics and expert opinion to address an urgent puzzle: Where and under what conditions do states prioritize cable security?The researchers focused on three contrasting cable systems: Unity/EAC Pacific (Japan–U.S.), Asia-America Gateway (Guam–Hawaii), and Tata TGNTata Indicom (India–Singapore).The risk to such cables varies predictably with geopolitical tension…
-
2025: Fascinated with Subsea Discovery
Our fascination with the depths of the ocean revealed itself in some of our most-read stories of 2025.What’s really down there? asked New Wave Media President Greg Trauthwein in his interview with Matt Grove, Regional Segment Manager Offshore at Seequent in September, in the most watched Offshore Engineer TV show.Working underneath the world’s waters is a challenge in and of itself, a challenge exacerbated…
-
Australia Opens a Wave Data Portal
Nearly 90% of Australians live within 50 kilometers of the coast, and Australia’s State of the Climate Report 2024 found that the nation’s weather, climate, and ocean conditions continue to change. Rising sea levels pose a significant threat to coastal communities and coastal ecosystems by amplifying the risks of coastal inundation, storm surge, erosion, and saltwater intrusion into groundwater systems.For most of Australia…
-
New Technologies Boost Wave Power Potential
This week, Swedish wave energy developer CorPower Ocean was put in charge of $35 million (€30 million) European projectaimed at improving the competitiveness and bankability of wave energy farms, with large-scale validation work planned in UK waters.CorPower noted research indicating that wave energy, under a high-growth scenario supported by a modernized UK supply chain, could deliver more than $40…
-
Protecting Nature is Not Only About Preserving Beauty
CITES Secretary-General Ivonne Higuero spoke on November 23 in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, saying: “Protecting nature is not only about preserving beauty; it is about safeguarding life itself for future generations.” She was recounting an Uzbek conservation principle.The government of Uzbekistan is hosting the 20th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to CITES this week. The conference on the Convention…
-
Watch: Sleepy Joes Found Together Again in their Hundreds
Scientists have again found aggregations of hundreds of Port Jackson sharks – sometimes known as Sleepy Joes.Scientists from the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies of the University of Tasmania found the sharks when they revisited the depths of Beagle Marine Park in Bass Strait using a custom-made Boxfish ROV.Most were females. Males and females often live apart except when mating, but it’s…
-
Subsea Technology Helps Coral Larvae Find Home
This week, researchers at Australia’s Southern Cross University and CSIRO gave hope that millions of coral larvae on the Great Barrier Reef can help replenish degraded reefs thanks to the development of a “larval seedbox.”Results from the first trial have found coral settlement to be up to 56 times higher across thousands of square meters of reef. Large scale operation is achievable as tens of millions…
-
Money Pours in for Hull Cleaning Technology
In April this year, the IMO Marine Environment Protection Committee approved guidance on in-water cleaning of ships' biofouling and also approved a proposal for the development of a legally binding framework for the management of biofouling.The move comes in recognition that biofouling is a key contributor invasive species and to greenhouse gas emissions. Biofouling can increase fuel consumption by up to 30%…
-
Women Navy Divers Meet Same Standards as Men
On March 14, 1975, 22-year-old Californian woman Donna Tobias graduated from the US Navy Second Class Dive School to become the first woman deepsea diver in the Navy.Marking the 50th anniversary of women’s integration into the US Navy Diving community, the Association of Women Navy Divers highlights that over 300 women have now graduated from the Navy’s schools.The society recounts that this happened…
-
AI is Boosting Operational Autonomy
In a world-first for marine science and technology, Teledyne Marine, in collaboration with Rutgers University-New Brunswick, has just launched an autonomous glider that will circumnavigate the globe.Navigational adjustments will be made along the way, as full operational autonomy is something that the underwater robotics industry continues to perfect.The loss of the University of Gothenburg AUV Ran demonstrates what can go wrong.
-
Down Under
As an island nation, Australia has one of the largest marine jurisdictions in the world and is responsible for around 4% of the world’s oceans. The nation is also home to the world’s largest iron ore port, Port Hedland, and the world’s largest coal port, Port of Newcastle.Greenroom RoboticsHydrographic survey is very critical for a country like Australia, and we're not keeping up with the pace of demand of having key areas mapped, says Peter Baker, Director of Growth at Greenroom Robotics.
-
Subsea Cables Accellerate Africa’s AI Potential
70% of sub-Sahara Africa’s population is under 30, and the continent is projected to account for a quarter of the world’s population by 2050. Telecommunications and AI companies are aiming to transform the potential they see there by offering greater capacity for harnessing AI.African digital infrastructure company SEACOM is launching SEACOM 2.0, a subsea cable system it says is poised to redefine connectivity across the Indian Ocean Basin…
-
Uncertainty Reduces New Oil and Gas Investment
Several news items this week highlight the potential consequences of uncertainty in the energy market.Fugro scrapped its annual outlook and announced further job cuts, citing an impact from project delays. The company said that projects in the offshore wind and oil and gas markets would be delayed into 2026 and their scope cut back, resulting in an estimated 100 million euros ($117.5 million) impact on its revenue."The previously anticipated 20% revenue growth is no longer realistic…
-
USVs Getting Smarter, Faster and More Flexible
The rapid pace of uncrewed surface vessel (USV) technology development has been on display this month, most recently with CSBC Corp’s military-grade USV Manta being demonstrated at the Taipei Aerospace and Defense Technology Exhibition.All components of the trimaran USV are guaranteed to be from non-Chinese sources, and the software used on the ship was developed by a joint venture between domestic and foreign companies, excluding China.
-
Robots as Clever as an Octopus
Octopuses have nine brains, one donut-shaped one in their head plus a small one in each of their eight arms. They can use tools, solve puzzles, and recognize human faces.Take Otto, an octopus that once lived in the SeaStar Aquarium in Germany. He was known to squirt water onto an annoying light above his tank, short-circuiting the lights in the entire building. Employees said he got bored when the aquarium was closed and would rearrange the tank…
February 2026
