Lander Lab: Cost Efficiency of Baited Ocean Landers
crab pot and marked with a surface float. Images are often limited to daylight hours, so lights and batteries are not needed. These simple systems are known as “Baited Remote Underwater Video” (BRUV) platforms.Stereo Baited Remote Underwater Video (BRUV) at Rheeders' Reef, Tsitsikamma, South Africa. Photo by Peter Southwood, Used with PermissionThe use of BRUV systems is favored over extractive sampling methods such as trawling, as many species escape the nets, or are destroyed by capture. Because they are quiet and offer bait, the BRUVs provide a 40% more efficient approach to recording
Underwater Autonomous Glider Departs to Circumnavigate the Globe
critical ocean data from under-sampled, remote regions of the globe.Redwing’s first leg will see it ride the Gulf Stream south of Martha’s Vineyard toward Europe, before sweeping south to stop at Gran Canaria off the coast of North West Africa. Its next leg will take it to Cape town in South Africa, before crossing the Indian Ocean to stop at Perth in Western Australia, then on to Wellington, New Zealand. It will then navigate the Antarctic Circumpolar Current — the most powerful current on Earth — taking it on its longest leg to the Falkland Islands. From here there will be
Subsea Cables Accellerate Africa’s AI Potential
communication, increase access to information, and enhance social cohesion.“In Kenya, gen AI is being used to create personalized learning pathways for students, with the goal of improving academic performance, increasing engagement, and providing tailored educational experiences.“In South Africa, a local start-up is using proprietary AI models and tools, including GPT-4, to help small-business owners better understand their finances and automate the production of easily understandable reports and dashboards.”McKinsey says generative AI could unlock $61-103 billion in economic value
Ocean Exchange Names Finalists for Three Awards
of water including healthy marine life and coastlines. The (1) new Ocean Enterprise Award will go to a solution that supports ocean observations, delivers improved data and services, and enables the growth of a sustainable Blue Economy and healthy oceans. Finalists for 2025 are:ABALOBI (South Africa) Fisher-led digital solutions for small-scale fisheries.Algae Scope (Italy) PFAS replacement in textiles with seaweed based alternatives.Aloft (USA) Weather data collection while underway with novel wind propulsion. Bio Clean Carbon (Denmark) Nutrient removal system using cyanobacteria.Bluenose
Wine Down Under
this year will include Chardonay and Cabernet Sauvignon as well as Semillon and Shiraz.There’s everything we need to scale up within 30 kilometers of the harbor, says Adams.After that, the founders plan to expand to waters in other parts of Australia, South-East Asia and still further afield, in South Africa and Miami.Images below courtesy of Lauren Tricket
Eco Wave Power Eyes South Africa for Wave Energy Plant
Eco Wave Power has signed an agreement with the Africa Great Future Development (AGFDL) to conduct a feasibility study for a potential wave energy power station at the Port of Ngqura, South Africa.The agreement marks Eco Wave Power's first step into the African market and aligns with the company's strategy to expand into regions with high renewable energy demand and strong coastal resource potential.The Port of Ngqura, located in the Eastern Cape Province and operated by Transnet National Ports Authority, is one of South Africa's most strategic deep-water ports and is adjacent to Coega
IMO Calls for Action After UN Ocean Conference
noiseDuring the conference, IMO welcomed the launch of the High Ambition Coalition for a Quiet Ocean – a group of 37 countries led by Canada and Panama committed to tackling underwater noise pollution.An official side event co-organized by IMO with the Governments of France Costa Rica and South Africa highlighted IMO’s work on this issue, including:• Revised Guidelines for the reduction of underwater radiated noise (URN) from commercial shipping adopted in 2023;• IMO Action Plan on Underwater Radiated Noise adopted in 2024, focusing on developing targets, policies and research
NOC Awarded $3.5m to Explore Expanding Ocean Desertification
;s climate, which would reduce ocean productivity, affecting marine food webs and the ocean’s role as a carbon sink.The new project, called EXPAND, will focus on the Indian Ocean subtropical gyre, the least understood of these ocean deserts. It includes partners from France, USA, Canada and South Africa.Project lead and NOC senior scientist Dr. Mar Benavides highlights the urgency of understanding what drives the expansion of ocean deserts—and whether biological nitrogen fixation can help counteract its effects."By uncovering the links between nitrogen fixation and marine productivity
MacArtney Opens UAE Hub
to serve our clients better and explore new opportunities."The plan is to eventually cover the MENA area in cooperation with existing regional distributors. Over the coming months, we will begin implementing our strategy in key markets, including countries such as Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Nigeria, South Africa, and Bangladesh, ensuring a robust and responsive presence across the region
August 2025
