How can technology be used to help us understand, protect and increase engagement with the ocean? That’s the question we’re constantly asking ourselves, and the answers are almost infinite. Jersey Marine Conservation’s scientific team sits at the intersection of marine biology and conservation, hardware and software application, marine engineering and bioinformatics. Our ability to create is limited only by our imagination.
In collaboration with the Jersey International Centre of Advanced Studies (JICAS), Exeter University Department of Biosciences and Ports of Jersey, we help students assess, design, build and deploy survey equipment including Remote Operated Vehicles (ROVs), Baited Remote Underwater Video Systems (BRUVS), Towed and Drop cameras, Thermal drones, sensors and underwater mobile video platforms. Our team and supported students collect data and apply AI to automate classification, model animal behaviours and predict migratory patterns; examine human impacts and identify climate related biodiversity change. The team uses mobile phone Apps to gather data, work with citizen scientists and communicate with schools, colleges and the general public.
Together, our work seeks to provide solutions for some of marine research’s greatest challenges, such as developing less invasive ways to monitor megafauna, inform conservation policy makers and reduce human impacts on marine species and associated habitats. We’re also working hard to develop our education program which we hope will include citizen science apps and engaging education resources. Our aim is to attract more community support and encourage more marine research. This will help us accelerate our collective understanding and conservation of the ocean.
