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Blue Forest Project, Sardinia
The Blue Forest Project aims to restore seagrass meadows in Cala di Volpe.
By Jan Pachner • Giulia Liguori • Dr. Sandro Carniel
Seagrass meadows are among the most valuable marine ecosystems on the planet, providing critical ecological services such as carbon sequestration, habitat provision and coastal protection. In the Mediterranean Sea, Posidonia oceanica meadows play a pivotal role in sustaining marine biodiversity and mitigating climate change impacts.
The Blue Forest Project at Cala di Volpe, Sardinia, Italy, spearheaded by One Ocean Foundation in collaboration with a network of scientific and private partners, is an innovative marine restoration initiative focused on reforesting degraded Posidonia oceanica meadows using biodegradable geocomposite mats (biomats). This article outlines the project’s rationale, methodology, and broader implications for ocean resource development and blue carbon ecosystem restoration.
Background
Coastal ecosystems worldwide face increasing threats from human activities and climate change. In particular, seagrass meadows such as Posidonia oceanica are experiencing alarming rates of decline due to coastal development, pollution and anchoring pressure from recreational boating. These meadows are crucial not only for marine biodiversity but also for their role in stabilizing sediments, sequestering carbon and improving water quality.
The Blue Forest Project aims to address this ecological crisis by restoring degraded seagrass habitats through scientifically validated restoration techniques. Positioned within the broader discourse of sustainable ocean resource development, the project embodies the principles of integrated marine management and ecological engineering.
The Blue Forest Project is a collaborative effort led by One Ocean Foundation with technical contribution from the International School for Scientific Diving (ISSD), responsible for restoration operations and diving logistics. Other key partners include Safe Bay S.r.l., holder of the maritime concession for the Cala di Volpe mooring field; the Department of Chemical, Physical, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences, University of Sassari, responsible for ecological monitoring and research activities; and Geomars Srl, a spin-off of the University of Sassari, responsible for sediment analysis and habitat mapping.
Restoration Technique
The restoration methodology applied in Cala di Volpe draws on naturalistic engineering techniques traditionally employed in terrestrial environments. ISSD adapted these methods for marine applications, integrating them with biodegradable geocomposite mats (R.E.C.S. coconut-fiber biomats).
This technique has undergone years of experimental refinement and field validation since early trials in 2007. The approach involves laying biomats over degraded Posidonia substrates, called “matte morte,” to support the anchoring of the new plants, stabilize the sediment, reduce hydrodynamic stress, and promote seagrass rhizome establishment.
Recent successful applications of this methodology include projects in the Ligurian and Tyrrhenian Seas, notably in the marine protected area of Portofino and Bergeggi, and the Natural Reserve of the Strait of Bonifacio.
Planting will be carried out exclusively by professional scientific divers using manual techniques to insert Posidonia rhizomes into the mats.
Site Description
Cala di Volpe is a semi-enclosed bay in northeastern Sardinia, historically impacted by unregulated anchoring and coastal tourism. The bay hosts a mooring field managed by Safe Bay, which has replaced free anchoring with environmentally managed moorings, mitigating further seabed damage.
A preliminary environmental survey conducted by ISSD in May 2024 revealed significant areas of “matte morte” interspersed with patches of living Posidonia. These degraded areas, especially on the eastern and shallow portions of the mooring field, were prioritized for restoration based on ecological suitability and accessibility.
The total area available for future restoration spans approximately 800,000 sq. m. The initial pilot intervention focuses on select zones near mooring points identified during the site survey.
Environmental Mapping and Baseline Studies
The project’s first operational phase involves detailed biocenotic mapping of the Posidonia meadow using advanced technologies, such as side scan sonar for seabed characterization and ROV inspections for direct habitat assessment.
The baseline data are critical for assessing the status of the meadow and selecting the most suitable areas for the restoration activity in order to ensure the success of the project and support ecosystem recovery trajectories.
Additionally, sediment traps will be deployed to analyze organic and inorganic deposition rates, nutrient loads, and potential contaminants.
Implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation
Following site selection and mapping, biodegradable coconut-fiber biomats will be installed over areas of matte morte at depths ranging from 10 to 15 m. The mats serve multiple functions: supporting the transplanted fragments, stabilizing the substrate against hydrodynamic forces, providing a microhabitat for seagrass propagules, facilitating rhizome attachment, and reducing sediment resuspension.
Planting will be carried out exclusively by professional scientific divers using manual techniques to insert Posidonia rhizomes into the mats. Rhizome sourcing follows strict ethical and regulatory guidelines, using naturally detached fragments uprooted by storms and/or anchors to give them a second chance.
The ecological performance of the restoration site will be monitored through a combination of: in-situ diver surveys (measuring shoot density, survival rates, and canopy cover); photogrammetric surveys (high-resolution 3D mapping of restored plots); and biodiversity monitoring (visual survey, ecoacoustic).
Monitoring data will be compared to healthy control sites within the same meadow to evaluate restoration efficacy and inform adaptive management strategies.
Biodegradable coconut-fiber biomats will be installed over areas of matte morte.
Environmental, Economic and Governance Considerations
The Blue Forest Project exemplifies how marine restoration can be integrated into ocean resource development strategies by: enhancing blue carbon sequestration capacity, contributing to climate mitigation; supporting biodiversity recovery; protecting shorelines from erosion through habitat restoration; and creating sustainable tourism opportunities and promoting marine education and awareness initiatives.
From an economic perspective, seagrass restoration can yield significant returns by preserving ecosystem services that support fisheries, recreation, and carbon credits under emerging blue carbon markets.
The success of marine restoration projects such as Blue Forest depends on robust policy frameworks and intersectoral cooperation. For example, the project benefits from alignment with EU marine conservation directives (e.g., Habitats Directive, Marine Strategy Framework Directive). In addition, collaboration with local stakeholders, including tourism operators and coastal authorities, is essential to international objectives such as the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021 to 2030).
Conclusion
The Blue Forest Project at Cala di Volpe is a replicable model for integrating habitat restoration within sustainable ocean resource development. By combining science-based techniques with private-public partnerships and community engagement, the project advances both ecological resilience and socioeconomic sustainability of coastal marine systems.
Such initiatives highlight the critical role of proactive marine management in safeguarding ocean health and demonstrate how restoring nature can deliver tangible benefits for climate, biodiversity, and local economies.
Jan Pachner is secretary general of One Ocean Foundation.
Giulia Liguori is a marine scientist and sustainability specialist at One Ocean Foundation.
Dr. Sandro Carniel is research director at CNR, Institute of Polar Sciences, Italy.
Marine Route Surveys for Connectivity in Alaska
Pioneer Consulting, a full-service submarine fiber-optic telecommunications consulting and project management company, has completed the marine route surveys for the “Fiber Internet Serving Homes” projects, which comprise the FISH West and FISH South submarine cable systems in Alaska. Contracted by Cordova Telecom Cooperative Inc., a member-owned telecommunications cooperative, the survey was completed in cooperation with Benthic GeoScience.
Pioneer Consulting supervised the survey and provided a representative on board the main survey vessel. Survey activities included:
- Investigation on board the seabed from a topographical view and a collection of actual seabed samples to determine the eventual route for the submarine cable
- Use of various geophysical and geotechnical equipment to map the seafloor and inspect the planned route for suitability or obstructions
- Multiple vessels operating in parallel over the course of months to conduct survey activities from cable landings out to the maximum water depths of the cable system
- Shore-end analysis of the seafloor via ROV
- Observation of protected marine species by trained environmental scientists on board vessels, who ensured no endangered species or other wildlife were harmed by the survey equipment
Next steps will include the compilation and analysis of the collected data, which will then be used by Pioneer Consulting to perform the final route engineering in preparation for cable manufacturing and, eventually, cable installation.
The FISH projects comprise two submarine cables: FISH West, which will run 300 km between Cordova and Seward, and FISH South, which will run 900 km between Cordova and Juneau. Funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s ReConnect Program, an initiative to provide connectivity to rural and underserved communities, the FISH projects will bring critical high-speed broadband service to some of Alaska’s most remote regions.
Pioneer Consulting has worked alongside Cordova Telecom Cooperative since 2022 with an initial feasibility study and will continue to spearhead project activities through installation completion and testing, which is expected at the end of 2027.
Collaborative for the Advancement Of USV/ROV Autonomy
Robosys Automation, in collaboration with USV manufacturer ACUA Ocean and the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult (OREC), has secured grant funding through Innovate UK for the Collaborative Automations for Subsea Intervention (C.A.S.I) project.
This specialist project, led by Robosys, will support collaborative autonomy in Uncrewed Surface Vessels (USVs) and Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs), within Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS) operations.
It aims to address the growing need for improved operation and maintenance (O&M) and inspections of offshore assets using smarter, zero-emission, collaborative USV-ROV technologies.
Robosys will deliver two key work packages. The first focuses on Multiple Objective Autonomous Adaptive Path Optimization, including weather routing and fuel consumption optimization for both traditional fuels and hydrogen. The second package involves the development of software architecture and simulation for collaborative autonomy between USVs and ROVs. Robosys will also lead the design of software algorithms to aid station keeping and obstacle avoidance in uncharted offshore wind farms (OWF).
A core element of the project is a feasibility study, which includes software and algorithm design, as well as system architecture. This will help vessels navigate safely and efficiently to their station, hold position, and collaborate with, track, and autonomously follow an ROV.
This study will also assess the engineering feasibility of the ROV’s launch and recovery systems (LARS), exploring vessel stability and performance in challenging sea conditions.
The C.A.S.I project will support the maritime autonomy sector to advance dual-use operations like surveying, monitoring of critical offshore and underwater infrastructure, offshore energy, and marine science.
The innovative technologies intend to grow productivity, profitability, safety, and sustainability, with route optimization increasing vessel endurance and overcoming the effects of hydrogen’s low volumetric density.
Nigel Lee, CSO of Project Lead, Robosys Automation, stated, “We are all delighted to have been awarded this significant funding, and look forward to commencing the rolling out of the project with our collaborators. This award reflects the importance of continuing to research and develop the maritime autonomy sector, to further support operational efficiency, enhance safety at sea, and actively drive decarbonization.”
OREC itself will develop the test and evaluation criteria for the LARS and conduct a life cycle assessment.
ACUA Ocean will design a new technically advanced and commercially feasible ROV and LARS. These are optimized for stability in open ocean operations and the launch and recovery of payloads in wave heights over 13 feet.
Current subsea inspections require ROV deployments, relying on large, crewed diesel vessels. These are limited by safety, operational sea states, crewing, and vessel availability.
USV-ROV technologies therefore provide many advantages, with significant market potential. Global asset integrity management is forecast to increase from $23B in 2021 to $29B by 2026.
Scientists Urge More Study on Effects of Ocean Carbon Removal Tech
Scientists from Plymouth Marine Laboratory (PML) and the University of Exeter urge caution in the upscaling of ocean carbon removal technologies until more detailed research can be done on the environmental impacts.
This call follows a review of current research, in addition to initial assessments made as part of the team’s SeaCURE project.
Published in Frontiers in Climate, the study, “Removal of dissolved inorganic carbon from seawater for climate mitigation: potential marine ecosystem impacts,” represents the first comprehensive review of the potential effects associated with direct ocean carbon capture and storage.
Such technologies, including SeaCURE, work by electrochemically removing dissolved inorganic carbon from seawater, which can then be stored. The treated low-carbon, high-pH seawater is then released back into the ocean, where it will then naturally draw down more atmospheric CO₂, restoring the seawater to normal pH and carbon concentrations.
Course: Environmental Monitoring Using Multiplatform Tech
The Scientific Robotics Academy, based at the Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS) in Oban, Scotland, and partly funded by the U.K. government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, will demonstrate the capabilities of a range of robotics systems during its training course September 3 to 5.
The course, Environmental Monitoring using Multi-Platform Technology, is designed to benefit landowners, planners, NGOs, and other organizations and researchers responsible for environmental monitoring. The hands-on training will be delivered by experts and provide a comprehensive overview of environmental monitoring spanning terrestrial, coastal, and marine activities. The course will cover practical elements, from mission planning and legislative requirements to sensor types and data processing.
OCEANS 2025 Great Lakes, Chicago, Sept. 29-Oct. 2
This fall, the global marine and freshwater technology community will gather in Chicago for OCEANS 2025 Great Lakes, sponsored by the Marine Technology Society and the IEEE Oceanic Engineering Society. The conference theme is “New Horizons in Blue Tech: Bridging Knowledge and Innovation,” as the Great Lakes region serves as a bridge for two nations, the U.S. and Canada, to the sea.
From September 29 to October 2, at Navy Pier, this year’s event offers four days of learning, discovery and connection—all set against the backdrop of Lake Michigan and the largest freshwater system on Earth.
A Comprehensive Technical Program
From ocean robotics and remote sensing to climate modeling and underwater acoustics, the OCEANS 2025 technical program brings together experts from industry, government, and academia to explore the latest innovations in marine and freshwater science. Attendees can expect robust technical sessions, interactive tutorials, and engaging town halls focused on everything from AI in glider operations to indigenous-led monitoring programs in the Great Lakes region.
Live On-Water Demonstrations: A First for OCEANS
New for 2025, participants will enjoy live on-water demonstrations just steps from the exhibit hall at Navy Pier Marina. Organizations such as ECHO81, R2Sonic, Teledyne, and Unique Group will showcase cutting-edge autonomous vehicles, hydrographic survey equipment, and real-time sonar technologies—giving attendees a firsthand look at innovation in action.
Plenaries, Networking and Professional Development
Each day includes dynamic plenary sessions featuring thought leaders tackling critical topics in marine sustainability, policy and engineering. From student poster competitions to specialized luncheons for early-career professionals and women in science and engineering, the program offers opportunities for career growth, collaboration, and mentorship.
Evening Events and Exhibits
Networking continues into the evening with receptions, mixers, and social events that foster connections across disciplines. The exhibit hall will host more than 70 exhibitors from around the world, showcasing the latest tools, platforms, and solutions in the marine and freshwater sectors.
Key Dates and Highlights:
- September 29: Tutorials, student poster orientation, icebreaker reception and student mixer.
- September 30 to October 2: Plenary sessions, technical programming, live demos, exhibitor receptions and more.
- October 2: Final plenary, student awards and IEEE Women in Engineering luncheon.
Whether you’re an ocean engineer, policy leader, data scientist, or student, OCEANS 2025 Great Lakes offers unmatched access to the people, projects, and technologies shaping the future of the blue economy.
Learn more and register at: https://greatlakes25.oceansconference.org.
Marine Plastic Management Program, British Columbia
Ocean Legacy Foundation (OLF), an organization accredited by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and a specialist in marine plastic recovery and recycling, has launched its Marine Plastic Management Program (MPMP) to support British Columbia’s fishing and aquaculture industry in responsibly managing fishing gear disposal while driving Canada’s circular economy.
By participating in this program, businesses join a growing network aimed at reducing plastic leakage into ecosystems and improving material traceability. The program supports plastic-carbon footprint reporting and aligns with extended producer responsibility principles, helping businesses prepare for regulatory shifts while promoting long-term environmental and operational resilience.
Free Cyber Incident Reporting Tool
The U.S. Coast Guard has made it mandatory to report maritime cyber incidents to the National Response Center. This new rule applies for all U.S.-flagged vessels, Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) facilities, and facilities subject to the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002 (MTSA).
Requirements in the final rule include developing and maintaining a cybersecurity plan, designating a cybersecurity officer, and taking various measures to maintain cybersecurity.
To support compliance with the new rule, Cydome has launched a class-endorsed cyber incident reporting tool designed specifically for fleets, ports, terminals and offshore platforms. While the basic tool is free to use, there is a cost for deeper integrations or automated workflows involving the full Cydome platform.
The tool features:
- Cross-jurisdictional compliance at no cost: The tool automates reporting using regulator-approved templates for both U.S. and EU standards, streamlining submissions across vessels and jurisdictions.
- Coverage of all reportable events: From GPS spoofing and satellite dropouts to unauthorized device use, the tool helps crews report required incidents quickly, no matter how routine the issue may seem.
- Support for mixed fleets and multi-class vessels: Designed to meet the needs of operators managing both EU and U.S.-bound traffic, the tool provides a unified compliance process for fleets navigating multiple regulatory frameworks.
- Reduction of risk and exposure: Non-compliance can trigger serious consequences, from fines to operational shutdowns. Cydome ensures every incident is documented, submitted and auditable before inspectors arrive.
USCG Report: Fatal Titan Dive Was Preventable
The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Marine Board of Investigation (MBI) has released its report of investigation (ROI) on the loss of OceanGate’s Titan submersible, which imploded during a June 2023 dive to the Titanic, killing five people.
“This marine casualty and the loss of five lives was preventable,” said Jason Neubauer, Titan MBI chair.
The ROI outlines key findings and contributing factors in the casualty and includes 17 safety recommendations aimed at strengthening oversight of submersible operations, improving coordination among federal agencies, and closing gaps in international maritime policy.
The board determined the primary contributing factors were OceanGate’s inadequate design, certification, maintenance and inspection process for the Titan. Other factors cited in the report include a toxic workplace culture at OceanGate; an inadequate domestic and international regulatory framework for submersible operations and vessels of novel design; and an ineffective whistleblower process under the Seaman’s Protection Act.
The board also found OceanGate failed to properly investigate and address known hull anomalies following its 2022 Titanic expedition. Investigators determined the Titan’s real-time monitoring system generated data that should have been analyzed and acted on during the 2022 Titanic expedition. However, OceanGate did not take any action related to the data, conduct any preventative maintenance or properly store the Titan during the extended off season before its 2023 Titanic expedition.
MBI recommendations include restricting the Oceanographic Research Vessel designations for submersibles; expanding federal and international requirements to all submersibles conducting scientific or commercial dives; and requiring Coast Guard documentation for all U.S. submersibles. The board also recommended adding Coast Guard personnel capacity at Coast Guard Headquarters to support new construction oversight and field inspections involving submersibles and vessels of novel design.
Further recommendations include requiring operators to submit dive and emergency response plans to the local Coast Guard officer in charge of marine inspection; evaluating the Coast Guard’s subsea search and rescue capabilities; and working with the International Maritime Organization to define passenger submersibles and expand international safety requirements for submersibles operating on the high seas. The board also called for a new Occupational Safety and Health Administration and Coast Guard agreement to clarify whistleblower investigative protocols and improve interagency coordination.
The ROI is intended to advise future policy decisions and improve oversight of submersible operations under U.S. and international frameworks.
The full ROI is available here.
Lightfish ASV Crosses Pacific
One of Seasats autonomous surface vessels (ASVs) has reached Japan after completing a fully autonomous trans-Pacific voyage, marking a breakthrough in persistent, low-logistics ASV operations.
Lightfish ASVs are 12-ft., 350-lb. solar-powered vehicles that have been in use with U.S. Navy and commercial customers around the world since early 2023.
The transit launched from the company’s headquarters in San Diego, stopped in Hawaii for a demo, took pictures on its way past Wake Island and Guam, participated in another demo in Okinawa, and finished its journey in mainland Japan.
In total, the Lightfish traveled more than 7,500 mi. over 150 days. Throughout the voyage, people followed along via a publicly accessible tracking page displaying a 24/7 ocean intelligence feed, including key boat health metrics, nearby vessel tracking via AIS and cameras, and live video of fish swimming alongside the ASV.