Technical Tracks

1.1 Sonar and transducers

1.2 Calibration of acoustic systems and metrology

1.3 Sound propagation and scattering

1.4 Acoustical oceanography

1.5 Geoacoustic inversion

1.6 Bioacoustics

1.7 Seismo-acoustics

1.8 Ocean noise

1.9 Signal coherence and fluctuation

2.1 Sonar signal processing

2.2 Array signal processing and array design

2.3 Model-based signal processing techniques

2.4 Vector sensor processing

2.5 Synthetic aperture (active and passive)

2.6 Classification and pattern recognition (parametric and non-parametric)

2.7 Sonar imaging

2.8 Acoustic telemetry and communication

2.9 Biologically inspired processing

3.1 Automatic control

3.2 Current measurement technology

3.3 Oceanographic instrumentation and sensors

3.4 Systems and observatories

3.5 Buoy technology

3.6 Cables and connectors

3.7 Marine geodetic information systems

4.1 Air / sea interaction

4.2 Lidar

4.3 Passive observing sensors

4.4 Coastal radars

4.5 Ocean color and hyperspectral measurements

4.6 Airborne and satellite radar and SAR

4.7 Operational observation

4.8 Sensor synergy

4.9 Space systems

5.1 Access, custody, and retrieval of data

5.2 Data visualization

5.3 Numerical modeling and simulation

5.4 Marine GIS and data fusion

5.5 Information management

5.6 Data assimilation

5.7 Real-Time Data Quality Control

6.1 Oceanography: physical, geological, chemical, biological

6.2 Marine geology and geophysics

6.3 Hydrography / seafloor mapping / geodesy

6.4 Hydrodynamics

6.5 Marine life and ecosystems

6.6 Meteorology

6.7 Pollution monitoring

6.8 Mineral resources

7.1 Imaging and vision

7.2 Beam propagation

7.3 Optical sensors and adaptive optics

7.4 Marine optics technology and instrumentation

7.5 Holography and 3D imaging

7.6 Optical communication

7.7 E-M sensing

8.1 Coastal zone management

8.2 Ocean economic potential

8.3 Marine law and policy

8.4 International issues

8.5 Marine safety and security

8.6 Law of the Sea and UNCLOS

8.7 Ocean resources

8.8 Marine education and outreach

8.9 Marine archaeology

9.1 Ocean energy

9.2 Ropes and tension members

9.3 Offshore structures

9.4 Marine materials science

9.5 Marine salvage

9.6 Diving

9.7 Pollution clean-up and pollution remediation

9.8 Deepwater development technology

9.9 Seafloor engineering

9.10 Ocean exploration

10.1 Vehicle design

10.2 Vehicle navigation

10.3 Vehicle performance

10.4 Autonomous underwater vehicles

10.5 Manned underwater vehicles

10.6 Remotely operated vehicles

10.7 Dynamic positioning

10.8 Moorings, rigging, and anchors

10.9 Naval architecture

Karen Grissom | NOAA’s National Data Buoy Center

Lea Locke-Wynn | Naval Meteorology  & Oceanography Command

The increasing need for a systematic and persistent understanding of the coupled ocean-atmosphere system is a critical component to many defense, government, academic, and private sector programs. Innovation over a broad cross-section of the sciences (marine science, computer science, human systems engineering, etc.) is essential for furthering the ability to rapidly interpret the Earth system environment, convey complex concepts plainly, and disseminate information to end-users.

This track focuses on advances in the five key components of operational oceanography:

• observation networks (in-situ and remote sensing, observing system design, best practices in maintaining an operational system, etc.)
• data management and monitoring (data formats and access methods, quality control mechanisms, etc.)
• prediction and assessment (numerical models and data assimilation systems, forecast verification, etc.)
• delivery and dissemination (data visualization and products, communication of measurement uncertainty, etc.)
• customer usage and decision-making influence (public-private sector engagement, approaches for addressing requirements gaps and data scarcity, observing system value mapping, etc.)

Dr. Eric Sparks | Mississippi State University Extension & Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium

Jessi A. James | Mississippi State University Extension

Citizen, participatory, community, or backyard science (hereinafter referred to as citizen science) has evolved from just a means to connect local communities to scientific research, to citizen scientist collected data being actively used in a wide range of research efforts.

• Traditional field-based citizen science projects are popular among volunteers, but technological advances have made it easier than ever for citizen scientists to participate in a variety of activities throughout the world.
• In this session, we will explore the variety & utility of citizen science projects that can inform coastal and ocean management.

Anna Linhoss | Auburn University 

This session will focus on major Gulf of Mexico Initiatives describing how they impact the ecology & economy of the largest Gulf in the world.

Ecosystems

• Rivers (MS & others)
• Beaches, wetlands, coral reefs
• Estuaries
• Escarpments
• Deeper water zones
• Industries
• Oil & gas
• Fishing
• Tourism
• Shipping

Threats

• Climate change
• Sea-level rise
• Storms & hurricanes
• Over fishing
• Oil spills
• Pollution

Jennifer Bowers | NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information

Jonathan Harris |Mississippi State University

From enhanced data collection capabilities to parallel processing, advances in Information Technologies (IT) have significantly improved our understanding of Earth’s dynamic environment. IT has a broad reach from Artificial Intelligence & Big Data to Cloud Computing & Machine Learning. In this session, we share how innovation in IT has improved our understanding of the ocean.

This track focuses on advances in the key components of IT enabled oceanography

• Sensor communication
• Edge computing enabled technologies
• Cloud computing & modern data management
• Big Data (information overload, data assimilation, etc.)
• Artificial Intelligence / Machine Learning
• Knowledge Products (advanced visualizations)
• Advancing the new Blue Tech Economy
• Technical Workforce Development

Stephanie Herring & Ayesha Genz NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information

The world’s oceans & coastal areas are being disproportionately impacted by anthropogenic climate change. These impacts include rising ocean temperature, ocean acidification & deoxygenation that lead to changes in ocean chemistry. Changes in these environmental variables have direct ecosystem impacts that include altering the diversity, abundance, & geographic distribution of marine species. There are also impacts to coastal areas through rising sea levels, coastal flooding and inundation that have profound socioeconomic impacts. An understanding of the climate change impacts on coasts & oceans is critical to the future management, conservation & restoration of coastal & marine ecosystems.

This track focuses on advances in the 5 key components of climate change:

• Observed & projected changes of oceanographic data in a warming world
• Oceanic & coastal impacts (ocean temperature, ocean chemistry, sea level rise, coastal flooding and inundation, etc.)
• Socioeconomic impacts (infrastructure, tourism, agriculture, food, energy, etc.)
• Marine ecosystem impacts (alterations to marine species including diversity, abundance, geographic distribution, etc.)
• Pathways to resilience (approaches to mitigate the impacts listed above)

Reginald Blaylock | University of Southern Mississippi

Aquaculture is the fastest growing segment of food production, averaging about 6% growth per year over the last decade. Over 50% of fisheries products now come from aquaculture and, due to the inability of capture fisheries to meet demand, aquaculture is the only viable alternative for meeting the demands of a growing human population. The United States has a long history of participation in the fisheries and maritime economy, but the U.S. imports about 90% of its seafood and contributes little to aquaculture production. Moreover, while Americans prefer to consume species of marine origin, marine aquaculture production significantly lags that of freshwater aquaculture. In particular, the development of marine aquaculture in the US lags for a variety of reasons including:

• The need for complex systems and materials engineering
• A lack of appropriate culture models for desirable species
• Cost of production
• Environmental impacts of escaped animals and farm effluent
• The complex and time-consuming regulatory process

This session will explore the technology being brought to bear on these constraints to facilitate the development of a sustainable domestic marine aquaculture industry that will optimize U.S. participation in the global Blue Economy.

Jennifer Jencks | NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information

Dr. Vicki Ferrini | LDEO

Brian Connon | Saildrone

Rafael Ponce | ESRI

Establishing a truly international movement for the global common good is one of the greatest legacies we can proudly pass on to the next generation.

Seabed 2030 is a collaborative project between the Nippon Foundation of Japan & the intergovernmental General Bathymetric Chart of the Oceans (GEBCO). It aims to bring together all available bathymetric data to produce the definitive map of the world ocean floor by 2030 & make it available to all. With only ~20% of the world ocean's seafloor mapped in the publicly available GEBCO grid, cooperation & collaboration will be key to achieving this ambitious goal. The Gulf of Mexico region, which is approximately 23% mapped based on the GEBCO grid, would have roughly twice as much coverage if all known existing bathymetry data were made available.

The time has come for all of us – international organizations, universities, non-Governmental organizations, maritime industries (fishing boats, survey companies, shipping lines, oil & gas companies, cruise operators, submarine cable companies), & citizens - to support Seabed 2030 by:

• consolidating & sharing pre-existing data
• leveraging existing & emerging technologies to collect and disseminate bathymetric data
• planning cruises to previously unmapped regions
• helping to building a strong global community united in purpose

Brian McKeon | HII – Mission Technologies

Philip Hoffman | National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration

Uncrewed & automated ships are becoming more prevalent across the maritime domain. This trend creates great opportunities for ship builders, technology providers, educational facilities & maritime operators. However, uncrewed & automated ships represent also significant challenges, particularly for regulators.

This track will explore the following focus areas:

• Applications, successes & lessons learned in un-crewed and autonomous ship design, development, production, regulation, & use.
• Navigation & COLREGS implications for maritime autonomy
• The reduction of manpower on crewed & optionally crewed ships as result of autonomy
• Implementation of Best Practices on remote observing of unscrewed vessels

Allison Chimenya | Port of Gulfport  

With increased traffic & cargo moving through ports each day, ports are particularly vulnerable to threats, creating the need for a wide range of security tools from cybersecurity to physical security to defend & reduce the impact of potential threats to port operations. This track will examine key security & logistic measures involved in maintaining a safe environment for the expedient & secure operations of our nation's ports.

The Goal

• Highlight emerging technologies within the maritime & port security industry including
  • Cybersecurity
  • Uncrewed Systems Protection
  • Physical Security
    • Land
    • Sea
    • Air
    • Underwater

Dr. Ruth Perry | Shell

Tom Wissing | Naval Oceanographic Office

Offshore renewable energy is steadily expanding in state and federal waters of the Atlantic, Pacific, & Gulf of Mexico. The growth of renewable resource development requires environmental knowledge, resource-intense planning, and well-curated operations & maintenance of offshore & coastal, land-based systems. This track will support discussion that ranges from environmental characterization to future design, deployment, & operation plans for offshore renewable energy systems, how the offshore renewable energy industry will be advanced, & how it can be supported by both private and public ventures.