Although they cover over 70% of our planet, only 0.6% of the world oceans are protected. It is estimated that we only know about 1 in 10 species in the ocean, which is unsurprising given that 90% of the ocean is more than half a mile deep and still remains largely unexplored. How might technology help us discover, understand and protect the vulnerable ecosystems below the waterline?
Marine Conservation is a fast-growing group in the WILDLABS community, capturing a wide variety of tech expertise within its member base, including those working with bioacoustic gear and hydrophones, AUVs and drones, sensors, machine learning, and more. By bringing together WILDLABS members from so many areas of conservation tech, the Marine Conservation group is the perfect place to collaborate on big, complex issues like marine biodiversity monitoring, coral reef health, plastic pollution, and sustainability.
The Marine Conservation group forum is also your place to chat about and solve the challenges unique to using conservation technology in marine environments. Whether you're struggling with deep-sea connectivity or salt water impacting gear longevity, or looking for remote solutions for long-term reef monitoring or biologging data collection, this group wants to help you explore the possibilities!
Check out some of the key marine conservation tech resources, conversations, and virtual events from across the WILDLABS platform:
Tutorials and Talks to Watch on Demand:
- Virtual Meetups: Developing cost-effective, open-source marine megafauna tracking, Jake Levenson
- Tech Tutors: How do I use open source remote sensing data to monitor fishing?, Max Schofield
- Virtual Meetups: eDNA for Aquatic Biodiversity, Alice Valentini
Case Studies, Tools, Research, and News:
- Southern Right Whales & Genome and Satellite Technology, Emma Carroll | eDNA & genomics, satellite data, biodiversity monitoring, climate change
- Building Experts Into AI, Whale Seeker | Machine learning, marine conservation, AI ethics
- Using AIS Data to Investigate the World’s Fishing Ports, Max Schofield | Remote sensing, data visualisation, fishing monitoring
- Small-scale fisheries and tech resources, Dan Steadman | Fishery monitoring, webinars, best practices
- Press Release: BAS Giant Iceberg Mission, British Antarctic Survey | Climate change, AUVs, remote sensing
- Case Study: Thermal imaging, drones, and loggerhead sea turtles, Megan Ossmann | FLIR, Duo Pro R camera, drones
- eDNA sampling to detect invasive snails in shipping ballast water, Gavin Shelton | Invasive species, eDNA, shipping
- Sustainable Fishing Challenges: Fish Catch Monitoring, Dan Steadman | Biologging, sensors, fishing monitoring
Conversations and Questions:
- Satellite tags for marine turtle recommendations | Alasdair Davies
- Calling all hydrophone users! | Team Open Acoustic Devices
- How difficult is it to build a buoy and constrain it in place? | Lindy Knowles
- Methods to detect Derelict Fishing Gear | Nandini Mehrotra
- Drone Mapping for Algal Blooms? | Harold Tay
- Minimising habitat impact of trawling gear | Dan Steadman
- Estimating carbon from 3d models of mangroves | Mark Brown
- Can we detect gillnets in turbid water? | Aurélie Shapiro
- New low cost DIY temperature loggers for reef monitoring | Harold Tay
- Machine learning to detect fish bomb blasts | Jamie Macaulay
Header Image: Emma Vogel
No showcases have been added to this group yet.
- @LucyD
- | She/Her
Software engineer and data scientist with an ecology and conservation twist
- 0 Resources
- 3 Discussions
- 6 Groups
- @jefftracey
- | He/Him
Conservation Biology Institute
I am a quantitative ecologist and data scientist with two decades of experience in biostatistics, AI, and HPC.
- 0 Resources
- 0 Discussions
- 9 Groups
WILDLABS & Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)
I'm the Bioacoustics Research Analyst at WILDLABS. I'm a marine biologist with particular interest in the acoustics behavior of cetaceans. I'm also a backend web developer, hoping to use technology to improve wildlife conservation efforts.
- 47 Resources
- 41 Discussions
- 34 Groups
- @srankin
- | she/her
NOAA Fisheries
Bioacoustics researcher with the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
- 0 Resources
- 8 Discussions
- 16 Groups
- @BAISAKHI
- | Miss
Studying Fisheries Resource Management with a focus on conservation tech. I automate mangrove health tracking to better understand gastropod and bivalve communities.
- 1 Resources
- 1 Discussions
- 9 Groups
- @HenriBe
- | He
Engineer/applied mathematician passionnate about sustainability
- 0 Resources
- 9 Discussions
- 6 Groups
- @jgaryi
- | She/her
Ecosonus
Researcher and co-founder of Ecosonus, a startup incubated at Harvard Innovation Labs that develops AI-powered tools combining bioacoustics, remote sensing, and geospatial modeling to monitor biodiversity.
- 4 Resources
- 4 Discussions
- 6 Groups
Robotician based in Paris, I am fond of the variety of adaptation life has to show.
Worked in bio-inspired robotics and currently on drones (next stop should be sub-marines robot :) )
- 0 Resources
- 0 Discussions
- 6 Groups
- @TaliaSpeaker
- | She/her
WILDLABS & World Wide Fund for Nature/ World Wildlife Fund (WWF)
I'm the Executive Manager of WILDLABS at WWF
- 27 Resources
- 64 Discussions
- 32 Groups
Technologist and Visual storyteller focusing on social, conservations issues.
- 1 Resources
- 64 Discussions
- 17 Groups
Arribada Initiative
UX/UI Designer and Frontend Developer
- 0 Resources
- 0 Discussions
- 9 Groups
- @ReillyHammond
- | She/her
Graduate student at Arizona State University studying viral cancer in sea turtles and community science and conservation engagement through conservation and technology.
- 0 Resources
- 1 Discussions
- 11 Groups
🌍 Conservation technology is transforming how we protect wildlife, but are we thinking carefully enough about the risks? Drones, camera traps, GPS trackers, acoustic sensors, AI, and remote sensing have become...
22 May 2026
A 3-year, fully-funded PhD studentship at the interface of ecological theory, AI and global biodiversity mapping
28 April 2026
Intro: Welcome to the Muck To step into a mangrove forest is to step into a paradox. It is a world suspended between land and sea, dominated by the scent of sulfur and the relentless rhythm of the tides. For centuries...
23 April 2026
Careers
The Smithsonian Institution is the world’s largest museum, education, and research complex, with 21 museums and the National Zoo. This position is located in the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology...
21 April 2026
Global Fishing Watch’s open ocean research grant program aims to enhance ocean governance by publicly sharing data on human activity at sea through the expansion of their community of practice. Letters of Intent due May...
8 April 2026
For the 10th year in a row, we’re inviting the community to share photos and videos of how they’re engaging with technology for wildlife conservation. Participate to connect with the community, vote for your favorites,...
20 January 2026
Move BON is seeking a new Interim Co-Chair to help shape the future of biodiversity observation and movement ecology.
6 January 2026
Article
The University of Hawai‘i - Ocean & Resources Engineering program is seeking project ideas from community groups, marine/ocean scientists, government agencies, companies, and non-governmental organizations for their...
16 November 2025
Any mechanical engineers out there ready to work with Marine Technology? At CatchCam Technologies, our products spend most of their their lifetime underwater dealing with pressure, saltwater, corrosion, and biofouling. ...
12 September 2025
Application deadline 03/10/25
8 September 2025
The Nature Conservancy is looking for a Coral Restoration Technician to perform and participate in coral restoration operations including the maintenance, management, development and coordination of restoration programs...
28 August 2025
November 2026
event
May 2026
event
March 2026
event
Conservation Technology - Paris, France
8 June 2026 1:47pm
Looking for internships, fellowships, and scholarships in conservation technology
2 May 2026 9:03am
Women in Conservation Forum: Monday 2nd March 2026 Nairobi
15 January 2026 7:21am
Help shape best-practice guidance on conservation technology - input to survey
22 May 2026 10:20am
Engineer Searching for Biologists
20 May 2026 3:18pm
Encuentro Virtual Mayo 2026 – Comunidad Latinoamericana Wildlabs
4 May 2026 11:15pm
Open PhD project: Decoding and mapping Earth's species interactions with ecological AI
28 April 2026 4:51pm
"Pixels, Pods, and Peat: The Future of Mangrove Survival"
23 April 2026 8:12pm
Open-source LoRa telemetry node for sea turtle nesting monitoring — looking for field feedback
22 April 2026 8:14am
Ecological Data Scientist
21 April 2026 9:22pm
Call for marine sites worldwide to apply to join eDNA Expeditions 2026-2028
23 January 2026 11:00am
25 January 2026 2:09pm
@LaurentChmiel Excellent initiative! 🌊🧬 eDNA Expeditions 2026–2028 is a powerful example of how local eDNA sampling can generate global, decision-ready insights for marine conservation. Great opportunity for marine sites worldwide to build capacity, engage communities, and contribute to a global biomolecular observatory.
28 January 2026 1:33pm
Thanks, @nabil.amor ! Do not hesitate to ask me anything you want regarding the project!
12 April 2026 6:23pm
Too bad we saw this just now. I hope we get to join another one soon.
Global Fishing Watch Research Grant CFP - $20k
8 April 2026 10:35pm
Looking for advice: combining AI skills with SCUBA diving marine fieldwork
12 September 2025 1:18pm
1 April 2026 10:35am
Hi Daniel
It depends on what you want to be
If you really want to bring something new then I guess do a PhD
I have a weird background, applied mathematician, PhD in econ and now working on this
I am guessing that the transition is doable as the math is the same that's how I kept doing very different subjects
I am currently working in an french engineering school on international shipping and would love to translate AI for conservation of ocean and I have several ideas
So I would be happy to discuss them and if interested let me know?
4 April 2026 4:12pm
Hi! I'm interested in this as well actually, though I have a BS in Computer Science, no Masters.
8 April 2026 8:53am
Hey, I am also interested, would you also be able to share the information with me too :)
I WANT TO TELL YOUR STORY
29 June 2025 10:22am
1 October 2025 7:43am
I'm not involved with this, but I just learned about Sea Shepherd today and their project to fight illegal octopus trapping. Sorry I can't help with an intro, but it would be a very cool story to share if you can get in touch!
Bot Verification
11 January 2026 7:33am
Amazing!
Found your instagram page and have been scrolling all morning ( most educative doomscrolling I've done so far😂). Love it, am seeing sea creatures I've never seen.
24 March 2026 1:37pm
Wonderful work! Would you be interested in documenting a story about afforestation from the Pacific Ocean to the Himalayas (Indus River focus)?
I’m interested in doing an expedition documentary bridging mythology and conservation with a YouTuber to help bring awareness towards forest conservation all along the river. The focus is water and water wildlife.
SCB Drones and Data Working Group (Society for Conservation Biology)
3 January 2026 5:30am
3 January 2026 9:40pm
Congratulations David. Looking forward to attending the inaugural meeting :)
Akiba
7 January 2026 2:08am
Thanks for joining, @Freaklabs
23 March 2026 12:37pm
Quick update – our next SCB Drones & Data Working Group coordination meeting is 24 March 2026.
Two identical sessions to accommodate time zones:
EARLY: 07:00 UK / 08:00 CET / 15:00 HKT / 16:00 Tokyo / 17:00 Brisbane / 18:00 Sydney / 20:00 New Zealand
LATE: 17:00 UK / 18:00 CET / 12:00 US Eastern / 09:00 US Pacific
If you’re interested in joining the Working Group or haven’t yet completed the Expression of Interest, you can still do so here:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScKxh3-e2duORzdqvuD2UCqC-Cpp7booTdWu7zFSHYPV0HOfw/viewform
Please email any questions to me at [email protected]
Agenda:
• Confirming Working Group scope and positioning within SCB
• Establishing governance and leadership roles
• Defining priority outputs for the next phase
• Progressing toward full SCB Working Group status
Looking To Utilize My Skillsets To Help
19 March 2026 10:26pm
Seeking input: Help shape the future of Movebank
19 March 2026 7:59pm
Measurements for species vulnerability to overharvesting
20 May 2024 3:06pm
14 March 2026 7:06pm
If there is anything I can do with skillsets to help, let me know.
When Wildlife Becomes Data: Ethical AI in Biodiversity Monitoring- Join the GEO Indigenous Alliance Summit 2026 March 16-19
5 March 2026 3:53pm
"Animal Movement, Behaviour and Biologging" Session at the World Conference On Marine Biodiversity
27 February 2026 11:40am
East Africa coordination between ICTC Peru and GCTDF Kenya – informal community update
27 January 2026 12:52am
24 February 2026 1:03pm
How are current drone pilots in the Mara handling biometric authorization for flight logs to ensure data integrity?
25 February 2026 11:27am
Hi @DavidGlobalDroneForum , I have attended ICTC and tried to be in the drone-related sessions as much as possible. I'm am not based in Africa but very much would like to better understand how drones are being used there as the organisation I work for are keen to increase the use of drones in that area. Would be happy to contribute in some way with reflections depending on timeline. Unfortunately I won't attend the conference in Kenya in person. I have also signed up to the Drone WG so was hoping to share something then too!
When should managers actively breach a temporarily closed estuary?
20 February 2026 10:16am
What Do Other Fields Most Often Underestimate About Your Work?
13 February 2026 12:45pm
Women in Conservation Forum: 3 Weeks Today!!
9 February 2026 1:31am
11 February 2026 2:16am
Hi Macayle! My assumption is that this is an in-person only event...yes? If there is an option to join remotely or listen in, please do follow up and share with our Community! I would personally love to attend, and I am sure many others would as well! And if there may be any content that is publicized post the event, please do share that as well. :) Sounds like a fantastic initiative -- thank you for sharing! Cheers!
“Remember You Are Wild” learning session on Feb 16 - with the team behind My Octopus Teacher
3 February 2026 5:21am
11 February 2026 2:49am
This is amazing! Would love to join, however your event conflicts with the upcoming ICTC for WILDLABS. :(
Is there an opportunity to review your session after the LIVE event?
Thank you for sharing!
11 March 2026 8:55pm
I can send you the recording if you like :-) - reach out directly as I don't seem to get a notification if someone comments on the post....
Women in Conservation Forum (WiCF) 2nd March in Nairobi: GoFundMe platform
30 January 2026 5:14am
30 January 2026 10:52am
Hello Macayle
It is of great pleasure that there is this opportunity coming to East Africa. I would like to attend this. Do you have any recommendation for funding a student to attend such a forum? I will share this opportunity with our East Africa WhatsApp group too.
2 February 2026 2:33am
Hi Susan,
Thank you for your message.
I apologise, but as we are a non-profit and mostly volunteer-run, we are presently unable to provide funding support to people to travel to Nairobi for the forum.
Thank you for sharing WiCF with the whatsapp community; that’s lovely of you!
I can write up an official letter of invitation if that would help with a university bursary application, and WiCF attendees will receive a certificate of attendance for the day.
I have a small invitation flyer; feel free to share this with others who may be interested.
Kind regards,
Macayle
Women in Marine Conservation session in the Women in Conservation Forum (WiCF) day 2nd March in Nairobi, Kenya.
30 January 2026 4:52am
30 January 2026 4:56am
Disclaimer: The related organisations in the blue box below are not partnership statements. I am merely trying to spread the word. We only have official partnerships (e.g. by an MoU) with CCF and WildDrone for the GCTDF.
Thank you!
30 January 2026 10:55am
Hi Macayle
Are these two different forums; one in Mombasa and other in Nairobi? can you make me understand please?
1 February 2026 2:02am
Exploring Ocean Biodiversity: A Multimodal Data Project Focused on the Humboldt Current
15 October 2025 7:40pm
8 November 2025 10:41pm
Hello Jaqueline!!
I would like to recommend reaching out to Dr. Santiago Martinez Balvanera, a Mexican researcher currently based at University College London (UCL), who works on advancing machine learning techniques for acoustic biodiversity monitoring.
You can find more information about his background and work here:
Discovery
14 November 2025 1:29pm
Hi Jaqueline,
Great to learn about this project development, and based in Peru. Our research group is based in Peru, and we integrate diverse technologies to monitor and assess biodiversity, advancing marine sciences and conservation. Our main ongoing and long-term project is on the central coast of Peru (www.bmap.pe). I would be interested in learning more and discussing potential collaboration opportunities.
26 January 2026 10:41pm
Hi Jaqueline,
It's great to hear about this project. I'm from the eDNA Collaborative at the University of Washington. We'd love to connect with you at some point. We have a growing network of eDNA researchers from around the world and I'd love to learn more about your work.
Please feel free to reach out to me at [email protected]
Shana Hirsch
Join the 2026 #Tech4Wildlife Challenge! (Feb. 2-6)
20 January 2026 6:21pm
20 January 2026 10:22pm
Best time of the year!
2 February 2026 9:45am
This year am In for the @tech4Wildlife challenge
25 February 2026 9:47am