A new wave of marine technologies such as artificial intelligence, autonomous underwater gliders, environmental DNA, and acoustic telemetry is rapidly changing how we study and what we know about our oceans. On Oct. 9, a panel of leading voices in ocean science and exploration will convene at Monmouth University for a conversation on actions the U.S. must take to harness these innovations to ensure its economic prosperity and national security.
The 2025 Future of the Ocean Symposium will be hosted by the Monmouth University Urban Coast Institute (UCI) from 10-11:45 a.m. at Monmouth’s historic Great Hall. The symposium is free and open to the public and will have a theme of “Exploring the Wine-Dark Sea – U.S. Ocean Science and Technology: Keys to Prosperity and Security.” The event will also commemorate the 20th anniversary of UCI, which was established in 2005.
Among the panelists will be two UCI 2025 Champion of the Ocean honorees: Caladan Oceanic CEO Victor Vescovo, an entrepreneur and extreme ocean explorer who was the first person to visit the deepest point in all five of the world’s oceans; and ocean mapping pioneer Larry Mayer, who serves as chair of the U.S. Arctic Research Commission and director of the University of New Hampshire Center for Coastal and Ocean Mapping. The panel will also include VADM (Ret.) Paul Gaffney, Monmouth University president emeritus and former chief of naval research; Deerin Babb-Brott, formerWhite House Office of Science and Technology Policy principal assistant director for oceans and the environment; Paula Bontempi, University of Rhode Island Graduate School of Oceanography professor and president of the Oceanography Society; and Ocean Power Technologies President and CEO Philipp Stratmann. The panel will be moderated by UCI Director Tony MacDonald.
The transformational promise and potential of these technologies is being realized at a moment when the longstanding model for funding universities to conduct ocean research is being disrupted, and proposed cuts to staff and programs at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Science Foundation and other federal agencies is creating additional uncertainty. At the same time, the administration has directed the agencies to “prioritize new and emerging technologies and collaborative approaches to efficiently map, explore, and characterize the resources of the United States exclusive economic zone and sea beds under international waters … [and] focus on increasing their capacity to effectively and efficiently manage large volumes of ocean observation and research data.”
“The uncertainty and seemingly contradictory actions raise many questions of critical importance, including, what will the new normal of ocean science and exploration look like? What will the roles of government, academia and the private sector be moving forward, and how can rapidly changing technology advance their work?” MacDonald said. “There is little public awareness of the major role the ocean plays in regulating climate, supporting economic development and national security, and it all depends on our ability to observe and understand the ocean environment. Yet federal investment in ocean science remains disproportionately small, accounting for less than 0.2 percent of federal discretionary spending.”
Immediately following the symposium at noon, the UCI will host its Champion of the Ocean Awards Luncheon, also in the Great Hall. This year’s National Champion of the Ocean honorees are Vescovo, Mayer, and Congressman Frank Pallone. Tickets are required to attend the reception, with proceeds supporting the UCI.
The awards were established in 2005 to honor individuals who have undertaken actions and demonstrated sustained leadership that ensures coasts and oceans are clean, safe, sustainably managed, and preserved for the benefit and enjoyment of future generations. Previous honorees include ocean explorer Robert Ballard, marine biologist and explorer Sylvia Earle, ocean scientist and advocate Jean-Michael Cousteau, and former CIA Director and Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta.
This event is made possible thanks to the generosity of the Leslie Hitchner Family. For more information, email uci@monmouth.edu or visit the event website.