AZORES MARINE PROTECTED AREA BLUE TECH Program

The Mission: REMOTE SENSING TO PREVENT POACHING IN Azores MPA

Learn about the Azores Archipelago Hope Spot on Mission Blue

the Azores is regarded as the westernmost point of Europe which can be seen on any Azores islands map as the islands are in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. As well as being a major port of call for transatlantic vessels, the main industries on the Azores are tourism, fishing, cattle and dairy farming.

THE PROJECT

The goal of this project is to verify new AI-driven remote underwater monitoring technology from Blue Oasis. 

REMOTE SENSING FOR MPA MONITORING & PROTECTION

HydroTwin utilizes advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI) to take decisive actions to mitigate the impact of underwater noise pollution, thus safeguarding biodiversity. Through the real-time detection and identification of underwater acoustic sources, Hydrotwin offers a strategic response to the escalating demand for enhanced marine surveillance and preservation.

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  • REAL-TIME MONITORING

    Combining HydroTwin with SCOUT-S systems, the project will gain instant access to real-time underwater soundscape data, allowing visualization, analysis, and tracking of acoustic sources.

  • AI-BASED MODELS DETECT POACHING VESSELS IN THE MPA

    AI-based models are at the core of Hydrotwin technology, and will identify and report potential poaching vessels in the MPA.

  • OPEN ACCESS SCIENCE DATA

    All the oceanographic and ecological data collected will be available to people on the front lines of conservation via an aqualink.org dashboard.

VERIFICATION AI Models

Students on this expedition will be verifying AI-powered tools for monitoring marine species biometrics and behavior, and identification of sound collected through hydrophones linked to smart moored data buoy platforms. We will be working with Bristlemouth project partner, Blue Oasis, based out of Portugal.

  1. The student team will be deploying HydroTwin devices underwater in the Azores MPA

  2. The student team will be validating the AI model’s labeling of biological sources. Specifically they will be validating sounds of dolphins, whales, and ocean vessels with positive underwater visual identification.

  3. The student team will be co-designing and testing a validation protocol using 3D photogrammetry.

Additionally, students have the opportunity to train the HydroTwin AI model before leaving for the Azores by evaluating and labeling spectrograms.


Learn more

THE TRIP

We will be visiting the Azores Marine Protected Area (MPA) where the first tests of this emerging technology are occurring. Students will be diving to deploy new blue tech, validate the machine learning model, and earning a specialty certification in marine technology deployment and maintenance.

  • OPEN WATER DIVER TRACK

    Students who are not yet scuba certified divers will be on the Open Water Diver track. Open Water Certification will be issued as a pre-requisite to the project.

  • ADVANCED DIVER TRACK

    Previously scuba certified students will be on the Advanced Diver track. These students will complete additional training including nitrox, and deep diving.

THE LEADERSHIP TEAM

  • Guilherme Beleza Vaz

    HydroTwin CTO and Professor of Mechanical Engineering, our blueOASIS POC

  • Emily Bittner

    Educator & Trip Chaperone

  • Vincent Smith

    WHALEFALL Director of Impact and lead instructor

Questions

Contact Vincent Smith at VSMITH@whalefall.ngo

PRICE: Summer Immersion Cost: $5900

For a limited time students will receive a 15% discount.

The team at WHALEFALL has been working diligently to reduce the cost of the Summer Immersion program for all students. If you require additional financial support please complete the application below to start the process.

$1,000 Deposits are required to reserve your space and receive the 15% student discount in the summer immersion.