Although the ocean covers more than 70% of our planet's surface and plays a crucial role in regulating the climate, maritime transport and food supply, its bottom remains largely unexplored.
In fact, we know more about the surface of the Moon than about the ocean depths. The reasons for this disparity are varied, but they can be summed up in one fundamental factor: underwater exploration has always been an extremely expensive and dangerous undertaking.
Until recently, exploration of the seabed was reserved for a few countries with considerable resources. Large oceanographic vessels equipped with cutting-edge technology and manned by highly specialized teams of scientists were the only way to access this hidden world.
However, the landscape is rapidly changing thanks to the emergence of a disruptive technology: marine drones, which in some ways represent a silent revolution in oceanographic exploration, as these drones are making exploration of the seafloor more accessible.
These autonomous robots, also known as unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) or autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), are transforming the way we explore, monitor and understand the ocean.
Unlike expensive research vessels, marine drones are relatively inexpensive to build and operate. Powered by solar and wind energy, these devices can navigate autonomously for long periods, collecting valuable data about the seafloor, the water column and the atmosphere.
Equipped with a variety of sensors, such as side-scan sonars, sub-bottom profilers, high-resolution cameras, and chemical sensors, marine drones can generate detailed maps of the seafloor, identify geological features, detect the presence of natural resources, monitor the health of marine ecosystems, and even assist in the search and rescue of missing vessels.
I have seen with interest an article explaining the work done by marine drones to generate a detailed map of the seafloor. The work has been done in the Gulf of Maine and has been carried out by drones like the one in the photo below.
The Gulf of Maine is an area rich in biodiversity and with significant fishing activity. Using a fleet of marine drones equipped with high-resolution sonars, researchers managed to create a detailed three-dimensional map of the seafloor, revealing previously unknown features such as underwater canyons, seamounts, and ancient river beds.
This information is not only valuable for scientific research, but also has practical implications for fisheries management, marine infrastructure planning, the protection of sensitive habitats, and the mitigation of geological risks.
I am clear that the proliferation of marine drones has the potential to democratize oceanographic exploration, putting this capacity within the reach of a greater number of countries, research institutions, and private companies.
And this information will lead to a better understanding of the ocean, which will allow us to better understand how it works, its importance for life on Earth, and the impacts of climate change.
With information, we can manage marine resources sustainably and better protect our environment, since caring for the health of marine ecosystems is essential for sustainable management of ocean resources.
We welcome these technologies that allow us to know and improve our environment. The future of oceanographic exploration represents an ocean of possibilities that we must take advantage of intelligently.
Hopefully we will do so very soon!!!
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