Ocean data is crucial for informing long-term economic policies that can balance a burgeoning blue economy with environmental sustainability. But physical, biological, logistical, technical and economic challenges all make gathering and transmitting ocean data difficult. Establishing baseline data is essential in order to measure and track natural resources (e.g. fish stocks, biomass) and the impact of ocean use and industry. SeaGen, a UK Blue Tech SME, is partnering with Exeter University to revolutionise ocean monitoring with the Modular Marine Monitoring Buoy (M3B). SeaGen develop AI and solar powered marine robots to monitor water bodies. The M3B will be a solar-powered, AI-driven monitoring system designed for extended deployments in challenging marine environments. Equipped with above-water and underwater cameras, hydrophones (which record sound), and sensors for pH, temperature, and dissolved oxygen, the M3B will offer a comprehensive remote view of marine operations and environments. Its modular design allows for customisation across various applications, from aquaculture to marinas, and further offshore applications like wind farms. Current monitoring solutions are primarily limited to diver based inspections and surveys that can be costly, infrequent, and potentially dangerous in difficult marine conditions. The need for consistent, detailed environmental data across seasons and weather conditions demands automated solutions - something the M3B can provide. At the heart of the M3B is its innovative power and data management systems. Machine learning algorithms ensure only 'interesting' data are transmitted (lowering power and data costs) and the collected data run through AI models to identify marine species and quantify biodiversity. This processed information is made accessible to stakeholders through SeaGen's Baseline app, allowing for easy access, analysis and cross-referencing. This project will enable partners Exeter University and SeaGen to further develop SeaGen's existing biodiversity monitoring buoy into a modular system (the M3B) that will be deployed and tested at three diverse locations in the Great South West. This real-world testing will demonstrate the M3B's versatility and effectiveness across different marine environments. The M3B will transform marine monitoring by making continuous high-quality, multi-sensory data an affordable option for a wide variety of maritime customers.

The Nutrient Cycling with Automated Seaweed Cultivation (NCASC)​ feasibility project will establish the possibility for estuarine and near estuarine nutrient cycling using seaweed. Lead, SeaGen, will adapt and scale their automated seaweed cultivation rig, the AlgaVator (TRL5), to grow estuarine seaweed species. The seaweed produced will be processed into an optimised seaweed bio fertiliser and tested on 4 English farms within this consortium, who will conduct growth tests on wheat, oats, courgettes and mushrooms. On farm reduction of nutrient leakage will help to alleviate nitrogen and phosphorus levels reaching rivers and waterways in the UK (and globally) but there will remain a desperate need to manage nutrients in waterways for the foreseeable future if we are to reduce environmental degradation and achieve the 40% reduction of nitrogen, phosphate and sediment pollution by 2038\. Products derived from seaweed can both fertilise and act as a bio-stimulant. Studies of seaweed extracts with crops have identified a 28%+ improvement in plant growth. The AlgaVator (TRL5), is the world's first hydrostatic, automated seaweed cultivation system, allowing large-scale, cost-effective seaweed production, in a range of environments. It reduces the cost to grow seaweed, and will bring seaweed bio fertilisers down to a lower price point.

UK aquaculture SME SeaGen's focus is on creating technology and infrastructure that can unlock the potential of seaweed in the global battle against climate change. Our belief is that automation, robotics, data and a little imagination can hold the key to a scalable and sustainable future for seaweed aquaculture and for the planet. Seaweed aquaculture is still in its infancy and questions remain regarding its impact on marine biodiversity. Current biodiversity monitoring solutions are limited by cost and labour inefficiencies. The ability to gather detailed environmental information, consistently, and across seasonal and weather variations calls for automated solutions. The project is a partnership between SeaGen and commercial seaweed farms Algapelago in Devon and Aird Fada part of the South West Mull and Iona Development Trust. SeaGen is developing a remotely operated automated underwater vehicle (AUV) that is able to carry out biodiversity monitoring using environmental sensors, a camera system and passive acoustic recording. Machine learning will be used to develop methods for animal recognition and species identification. Our AUV glider (based on a previously developed design) is powered by electric thrusters giving it the ability to follow detailed "flight" plans. A solar PV docking station provides a charging point for the glider as well as a point for transmitting the collected data. We see applications of this monitoring system in various marine developments including seaweed farms, bivalve, and finfish aquaculture, and offshore wind farms. This project will focus on mounting an observation and sensor array onto our ocean glider and processing the data gathered using machine learning to 'match' against recorded species. We will analyse the data using machine learning, comparing with open source datasets to make species identification and quantification easier and faster. Live and organised data will be accessible to relevant stakeholders via an online portal that allows analysis and cross referencing of data. Our project aims to make long term marine biodiversity monitoring of specific projects or areas more accessible and cost effective in the challenging remote coastal and off-shore environment.

Climate change presents a global crisis that impacts people, environments and economies worldwide, with more severe impacts for those who have the least resources to combat them. It is unarguably an existential threat to humanity. To halt warming, we will need to reduce emissions by 75% and massively increase biodiversity across the planet. For our food chain, this means eliminating emissions wherever possible and finding sustainable sources of protein for human and animal feed without water and land needs. We will need to rehabilitate our soils, bio-diversify much of our agricultural land, and continue to offer appropriate nutrition to the world's population. Seaweed offers us an opportunity to grow nutrient-dense biomass in the UK without the need to commit more land to crop production. Seaweed farms also have the potential to be co-located alongside offshore wind farms, with benefits to both industries. The proposed project is focused on creating technology and infrastructure that can unlock the potential of seaweed in the global battle against climate change. This project aims to establish the UK's first commercial cultivation system for dulse, a highly desirable red seaweed that could become a viable low-emission home-grown protein alternative to replace soyabean meal in chicken feed in UK. Dulse is a particularly desirable protein rich red seaweed with many growth-promoting effects that has so far proved challenging to grow. This feasibility study will allow a full assessment of the cultivation inputs required (and corresponding emissions) for pure tank based vs. at-sea cultivation. The project will enable us to establish the most biologically and commercially viable route to successful cultivation of dulse. The biochemical analysis of the pure tank based vs. at-sea cultivated seaweed will allow us to select the most nutritious and protein-rich species of dulse. The efficacy and potential of dulse produced and selected will be tested in poultry feed trials (in vivo) to explore the seaweed soyabean meal replacement potential. As dulse has great potential to improve gut health, arising from its immune-modulating functions, as a consequence, its impact on the gut microbiome could contribute to the use of seaweed to reduce reliance on antibiotics. The impact of dulse on the gut microbiome will be further explored by studying its impact on gut microbial diversity, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and the occurrence of zoonotic pathogens.

UK aquaculture SME Seaweed Generation's (SeaGen) focus is on creating technology and infrastructure that can unlock the potential of seaweed in the global battle against climate change. Our belief is that automation, robotics, data and a innovation can hold the key to a scalable and sustainable future for seaweed aquaculture and for the planet. UK horticultural SME, Microgrow Systems (Microgrow), are industry leaders in high quality LED lighting systems that have the potential to save energy while optimising plant growth and health. This project is a partnership between Seaweed Generation and Microgrow to establish feasibility for the UK's first commercial seeding system for Dulse, a highly desirable red seaweed that could become a viable plant based protein alternative both in the UK and globally in the next five years. Climate change presents a global crisis that impacts people, environments and economies worldwide, with more severe impacts for those who have the least resources to combat them. To halt warming, we will need to reduce emissions by 75% and massively increase biodiversity across the planet. For our food chain this means eliminating emissions wherever possible, and finding sustainable sources of protein for food and animal feed without water and land needs. We will need to rehabilitate our soils, bio-diversify much of our agricultural land, and continue to offer appropriate nutrition to the world's population. Seaweed offers us an opportunity to grow high protein, nutrient dense biomass in the UK, without the need to commit more land to crop production. This feasibility study will allow full assessment of seeding techniques and practices for Dulse - a particularly tasty (umami) and protein-rich red seaweed that has proved challenging to grow. SeaGen and Microgrow will develop an automated seeding system that can reliably produce Dulse spores for large scale cultivation practices. The industry currently relies largely upon wild harvesting which is unpredictable and potentially unsustainable. This project aims to create a system for reliable seeding stock, allowing the seaweed food industry to develop in the UK, ultimately becoming a viable and cost effective plant based protein source.

UK aquaculture SME SeaGen has a core project team of Patricia Estridge (entrepreneur/CEO/software-engineer), Paul Gray (marine-engineer/senior-mechanical-engineer), Duncan Smallman (PhD/marine-biology/cultivation), Dan Schaub (software-engineer) and Mike Allen (professor/algal-biotech). UK animal feed SME, Abrimar, is led by Matt Palmer (animal-nutritionist/PhD) with Virgillo Ambriz-Vilchis (veterinary-surgeon/ruminant-nutritionist/PhD). Climate change presents a global crisis that impacts people, environments and economies worldwide, with more severe impacts for those who have the least resources to combat them. To halt warming, we will need to reduce emissions by 75% and massively increase biodiversity across the planet. For our food chain this means eliminating emissions wherever possible, and finding sustainable sources of protein for human and animal feed without water and land needs. We will need to rehabilitate our soils, bio-diversify much of our agricultural land, and continue to offer appropriate nutrition to the world's population. SeaGen is developing an automated macroalgal protein cultivation system using seaweed to produce high protein poultry feed in partnership with Abrimar. This system is cost-effective, requires no land and needs almost no energy input or infrastructure. Machine Learning will ensure optimised growing conditions for the seaweed, leading to a high yield of biomass and maximise effectiveness for crop yield. Seaweed offers us an opportunity to grow high protein biomass in the UK, without the need to commit more land to crop production. This feasibility study will allow full assessment of possible cost reductions in high protein seaweed cultivation, and allow us to assess its potential for a source of high protein animal feed. While this project will have global benefit, it can also specifically bring jobs and income to coastal communities, which have heightened risks from climate change. SeaGen's technology will be the first to use next-gen technology to reduce costs and boost productivity.

Seaweed Generation are developing a remotely operated automated underwater vehicle that is able to carry out biodiversity monitoring using hyperspectral cameras and passive acoustic recording. Machine learning will be used to develop methods for animal recognition and species identification. Our AUV glider (based on a previously developed design) is powered by electric thrusters giving it the ability to follow detailed "flight" plans. A solar PV docking station provides a charging point for the glider as well as a point for transmitting the collected data. As a novel design to monitor and observe potential impacts to biodiversity on seaweed farms and off-shore windfarms, this project will focus on the creation of the remotely operated observation array, processing of data using machine learning to 'match' against recorded species, and the capacity of our glider to 'untether' and return to its docking / charging station. We will be running the data collected by the observation array through machine learning software and open source datasets to make species identification and quantification easier and faster. Our project aims to make long term marine biodiversity monitoring more accessible and cost effective in the challenging remote coastal and off-shore environment.