Abstract
Ocean technologies and innovations have the potential to significantly transform our understanding and management of marine environments. The growing focus on “big blue data” is characterized by integrated and real-time data collection from extensive networks of buoys, autonomous underwater vehicles, drones, satellites, and other advanced sensors. This approach offers unprecedented opportunities for marine research, environmental response, resource management, and ocean conservation. However, despite technological progress, global ocean data infrastructure remains fragmented; significant challenges remain in disparities in technology access, resource allocation, and expertise across various regions, particularly in developing nations and remote coastal and island communities.
Recognizing these challenges, a series of international workshops was conducted between 2024 and 2025 to identify critical needs, barriers, and opportunities related to ocean monitoring technologies. These workshops convened stakeholders with diverse backgrounds to promote engaging dialogue, identify real-world barriers, and foster collaborative solutions