Seaweed is everywhere in the blue economy conversation. But can we actually scale it?

Food, feed, biostimulants, biomaterials, pharmaceuticals, carbon, biodiversity… Seaweed is often presented as one of the ocean’s most promising resources.

Yet behind the hype lies a much more complex reality: 98% of farmed seaweed is still produced in Asia, most farms remain highly manual, technology adoption is limited, and emerging regions are still searching for the right business models and markets.

In this episode of BlueTech Around the World, I sit down with Karlotta Rieve from Hatch Blue, who has visited more than 200 seaweed farms across Asia, Europe and the Americas.

Together, we explore what the seaweed industry really looks like on the ground? from low-tech community farming to smart monitoring, emerging markets, regulation, marine spatial planning and climate impact.

But one idea keeps coming back throughout our conversation: the next seaweed revolution may not be driven by technology alone.

It may depend on our ability to build better value chains, stronger business models and a new generation of “bridge-building entrepreneurs” capable of connecting coastal communities, technology, markets and investment.

Thank you for listening to BlueTech Around the World! 🌊

Resources:

Seaweed Insights https://seaweedinsights.com/

Global Seaweed New and Emerging Markets Report 2023 — World Bank Group
https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/environment/publication/global-seaweed-new-and-emerging-markets-report-2023

NOWA – Network of Women in Aquaculture https://www.nowaquaculture.org/

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🌊 BlueTech Around the World | Ocean Innovation & Maritime Technologies

Innovation FOR and BY the Ocean.

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Ballast water is one of the most overlooked challenges in the maritime industry, yet one of the most impactful for ocean ecosystems.

Every year, ships transport billions of tons of water across the globe, carrying microscopic organisms that can disrupt biodiversity, damage local fisheries, and spread invasive species.

Since the IMO Ballast Water Management Convention, treating ballast water is no longer optional, it’s mandatory.

So how does it actually work?

In this episode of BlueTech Around the World, we dive into ballast water treatment technologies, with a focus on UV disinfection systems, now used on the majority of ships worldwide.

With Maxime Dedeurwaerder (BIO-UV Group), we explore how these systems work, the real challenges of installation and maintenance, and how the market is evolving beyond compliance.

But this conversation goes further.

From aquaculture (RAS systems) to floating offshore wind and industrial water treatment, discover how one technology is scaling across the entire blue economy.

👉 A must-listen for anyone interested in: maritime innovation, water treatment, aquaculture, offshore wind, and ocean sustainability.

Key question : How can a regulation-driven technology like ballast water treatment evolve into a multi-sector solution across the blue economy?

Thank you for listening to BlueTech Around the World! 🌊

💡 Resources and Links:

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Stay tuned for more inspiring stories and cutting-edge blue technologies!

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Fisheries are at a turning point.
From climate change and biodiversity loss to illegal fishing and growing demands for transparency, the sector is under immense pressure.

Yet fisheries are also one of the most data-poor sectors of the ocean economy.

In this episode of BlueTech Around the World, we explore how digital technologies, from satellites and connectivity to AI and data platforms, are reshaping fisheries management, from small-scale fishers to national authorities.

My guest, Hervé Galabert, Director of Sustainable Fisheries Applications at CLS, takes us on a journey from space to fishing boats, showing how satellite-based Earth observation, vessel tracking, and data integration are becoming essential tools to build more sustainable, resilient, and inclusive fisheries.

From making small-scale fishers visible, to fighting illegal fishing, improving safety at sea, reducing ghost gear pollution, and supporting better decision-making, this conversation reveals how technology becomes powerful only when it serves people and ecosystems.

Here’s what you’ll learn in this episode:

• What “digitalization of fisheries” really means  and how it differs from digital transformation
• How satellites collect and transmit data on vessel activity, ocean conditions and risks
• AIS, VMS, SAR: understanding the key tracking technologies used at sea
• Why traditional monitoring is no longer enough in a changing ocean
• How digital tools help small-scale fishers become visible and included in decision-making
• Real-world success stories: safety at sea, offshore wind & fisheries coexistence
• How satellite data and AI are changing the fight against IUU fishing
• What “dark vessels” are  and how they can be detected
• How technology helps track and reduce ghost gear and marine pollution
• Who pays for digital fisheries tools and how solutions are made more affordable
• The role of open data (Copernicus) in modern fisheries management
• What’s next for digital fisheries: AI, IoT, connectivity  and human intelligence
• Hervé’s advice for young innovators in fisheries, blue tech and ocean conservation

Key question

How can digital technologies, from space-based observation to real-time data, help fisheries remain productive, fair, and sustainable in a rapidly changing ocean?

Thank you for listening to BlueTech Around the World! 🌊✨

💡 Resources and Links:

• Follow us on LinkedIn: BlueTech Podcast

• Connect with us on Instagram: @bluetechpodcast

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• Visit our Website: https://www.bluetech-podcast.com/

Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share your favorite episodes to help us spotlight the incredible innovations shaping our oceans. 🌊

Stay tuned for more inspiring stories and cutting-edge blue technologies!

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Coral reefs are the rainforests of the sea.
They cover less than 0.1% of the ocean surface, yet support up to 30% of all marine life, protect coasts, feed millions of people, and fuel tourism and local economies.

Now imagine this: under the pressure of climate change, pollution and human activity, up to 90% of coral reefs could disappear by 2050.

In this episode, we explore a different kind of ocean innovation: listening to the reef.
My guest, Yann Bayle, PhD in Artificial Intelligence applied to sound analysis and co-founder & CTO of Reef Pulse, is turning coral reefs into data using AI-powered passive acoustic monitoring to understand, protect, and even restore these critical ecosystems.

From decoding the “orchestra” of reef life to using underwater speakers to guide coral larvae back to degraded reefs, this conversation is about how sound + science + entrepreneurship can become a powerful tool for regeneration.

Here’s what you’ll learn in this episode:

• The origin story of Reef Pulse: from Reunion Island to AI for the ocean

• Why coral is an animal, how bleaching works, and what threatens reefs today

• The key ecosystem services coral reefs provide to people and coastal communities

• The limits of traditional monitoring (divers, satellites, eDNA) and how ecoacoustics changes the game

• How Reef Pulse uses AI to record, clean and analyze underwater soundscapes

• The difference between healthy vs degraded reef soundscapes

• What acoustic restoration is and how underwater speakers can help larvae settle faster

• How Reef Pulse balances impact, business models (B2G/B2B) and low-footprint technology

• Yann’s advice for young innovators building marine projects with new technologies

Key question:

How can we use AI and sound to listen to coral reefs, protect them in real time, and even help bring them back to life—without adding new pressure on the ocean?

Connect with our guest:
🔗 Reef Pulse : https://reef-pulse.com/en/index.php
🔗 Yann Bayle : https://www.linkedin.com/in/yannbayle/

Resources and Links:

• Follow us on LinkedIn: BlueTech Podcast

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• Visit our Website: https://www.bluetech-podcast.com/

Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share your favorite episodes to help us spotlight the incredible innovations shaping our oceans. 🌊

Stay tuned for more inspiring stories and cutting-edge blue technologies!

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A voice crackles over the radio. Panic. A fire onboard. No location. No number of people. Silence.
Now imagine if AI could step in, capture the message, fill in the gaps, call for help, save lives.

In this episode, we explore how a distress call during a sailing trip became the starting point of a deeptech journey aiming to transform VHF,  the “walkie-talkie of the ocean”,  into a real-time intelligent safety assistant powered by AI.

From hackathon to mission-critical deployment with the French Coast Guard (CROSS), discover how maritime safety may be on the verge of a leapfrog moment.

Here’s what you’ll learn in this episode:

·        The origin story: a real Mayday call that sparked an innovation journey

·        Ocean Hackathon → prototype: 48 hours together, pure focus, and nonstop feedback loops

·        Why it was hard at first: Big Tech overlooked maritime, no relevant data to train models

·        Why VHF fails under stress (no replay, accents, missing info) and how AI helps operators capture the essentials

·        From B2C to B2B/B2G: co-developing with CROSS for mission-critical use, on-site immersion in operations

·        The smartphone effect at sea: “rent a boat with an app” → more people, less trained VHF users → too many distress calls

·        The tech, simply: speech-to-text with domain models, call classification, searchable logs, supervisor overview

·        Data, not hype: why general AI fails at sea and why annotated maritime data (from CROSS) wins

·        Dual-use angles: from safety to security, piracy comms, multilingual signals, and situational awareness

·        Data protection done right: on-prem vs EU cloud, GDPR, certifications & sovereign choices

·        Go-to-market reality: competitors, differentiation, and value-based licensing.

·        Founder lessons: team fit, funding via contests, patience, and momentum

Key question:
How do you turn noisy VHF distress calls into life-saving decisions without overwhelming operators or compromising data security?Thank you for listening to BlueTech Around the World! 🌊✨

🔗 LinkedIn: Vaiata Dynamics
🔗 Guest: Édouard Vallet

💡 Resources and Links:

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Stay tuned for more inspiring stories and cutting-edge blue technologies!

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Are digital twins enough to revolutionize aquaculture? Not quite.

The real power lies in shared ocean data , and Norway’s AquaCloud is proving it.

In this episode, we dive into the story behind AquaCloud, the industry-led “love child” of Norwegian aquaculture that is breaking down data silos to unlock collaboration, sustainability, and smarter decision-making.

Discover how over 60 data parameters (from fish welfare to oceanographic conditions) are transformed into actionable insights that help fish farmers anticipate sea lice outbreaks, researchers accelerate innovation, and the entire industry move from digitization to true digital transformation.

We also explore the challenges of data governance, privacy, and standardization, and look ahead to what’s next: federated AI, remote operations, robotic swarms, and a new mindset for the future of aquaculture.

Here’s what you’ll learn in this episode:

• Why shared data matters more than digital twins

• AquaCloud’s journey from idea to startup

• Governance, anonymization, and GDPR in aquaculture

• Accelerating research through standardized data

• How small farms benefit as much as big players

• The future: AI, robotics, and dynamic offshore farms

Key question:
How do you design a neutral, trusted data platform that protects company-sensitive information yet delivers shared value, for farmers, researchers, and the ocean?

🎧 If you’re passionate about blue tech, aquaculture innovation, or ocean AI, hit subscribe and share this episode with someone who should hear it.

Connect with our guest:
🌐 Website: AquaCloud (aquacloud.ai)
🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bjorgolfurhavardsson/

Thank you for listening to BlueTech Around the World! 🌊✨

💡 Resources and Links:

• Follow us on LinkedIn: BlueTech Podcast

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• Watch our episodes on YouTube: BlueTech Around the World

• Visit our Website: https://www.bluetech-podcast.com/

Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share your favorite episodes to help us spotlight the incredible innovations shaping our oceans. 🌊

Stay tuned for more inspiring stories and cutting-edge blue technologies!

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Can we protect ships, offshore wind, and aquaculture without harming marine ecosystems?

In this episode of BlueTech Around the World, we dive into the hidden yet costly challenge of marine biofouling.

The build-up of algae, barnacles, and other organisms on underwater surfaces. This natural process drastically increases fuel consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, and maintenance costs for the entire maritime industry.

Yet, traditional antifouling paints often come with toxic side effects for marine life. So how can we innovate smarter, greener solutions?

To unpack this complex topic and share real-world insights, I’m joined by Professor Christine Bressy, a leading scientist in antifouling innovation and head of the MAPIEM laboratory in Toulon, France.

With over 28 years of experience bridging chemistry, environmental science, and industrial applications, Christine shares how her team is developing biocide-free coatings, biomimetic surfaces, and integrated cleaning technologies to protect vessels and structures while respecting ocean health.

🔹 In this episode:

• What is marine biofouling and why it costs billions every year
• The environmental impact of biocidal coatings and global regulations
• How antifouling technologies work: biocidal vs. fouling-release paints
• Challenges for static infrastructures like offshore wind and aquaculture
• Emerging innovations: smart polymers, shark-skin inspired surfaces, robots & real-time monitoring
• What’s next: biopolymer-based, biodegradable, silicone-free coatings
• Advice for young ocean innovators entering this critical field

Key question:
How can we balance efficient maritime operations with ocean health, using new antifouling technologies that prevent biofouling without harming marine ecosystems?

Thank you for listening to BlueTech Around the World! 🌊✨

💡 Resources and Links:

• Follow us on LinkedIn: BlueTech Podcast

• Connect with us on Instagram: @bluetechpodcast

• Watch our episodes on YouTube: BlueTech Around the World

• Visit our Website: https://www.bluetech-podcast.com/

Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share your favorite episodes to help us spotlight the incredible innovations shaping our oceans. 🌊

Stay tuned for more inspiring stories and cutting-edge blue technologies!

BlueTech Around the World — the Blue Connection Podcast.

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In this episode of BlueTech Around the World, we dive deep into the rising issue of underwater noise pollution, a silent but widespread threat caused by human activities like shipping, port construction, and offshore energy.

Beneath the waves, what was once called the “silent world” is now buzzing with noise that disrupts communication, navigation, and survival for marine species.

To unpack the challenge and explore cutting-edge solutions, I’m joined by Gwenaël Desse, Chief Business Officer at Greenov, the French startup behind the SubSea Quieter, a patented mitigation system that reduces noise and turbidity during offshore and coastal operations.

With a unique path from naval defense to ocean protection, Gwenaël shares how Greenov’s patented technology reduces harmful noise from pile driving, port works, and vessel operations while offering measurable business and environmental benefits.

🔹 In this episode:

• Why ocean noise matters  and how it impacts whales, dolphins, fish, and marine ecosystems
• How the SubSea Quieter works
• Business case: reduced operational costs, emissions, and acoustic risks
• Integrating noise mitigation in a broader ecosystem of marine protection
• What’s next in innovation: real-time monitoring, deep-water adaptation, and metamaterials

[sponsoring] This episode is proudly supported by Team Nice Côte d’Azur, the agency supporting business establishment and growth on the French Riviera.

Nice Ocean Business Forum, June 9–11 2025.

June 9 – Economic Attractiveness & Investment Day

👉 Register now (free & open to all): business.nicecotedazur.org/nice-ocean-business-forum-us

Connect with our guest:

Website: www.greenov.green
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gwenael-desse-364b4482/

 Resources and Links:

• Follow us on LinkedIn: BlueTech Podcast

• Connect with us on Instagram: @bluetechpodcast

• Watch our episodes on YouTube: BlueTech Around the World

• Visit our Website: https://www.bluetech-podcast.com/

Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share your favorite episodes to help us spotlight the incredible innovations shaping our oceans. 🌊

Stay tuned for more inspiring stories and cutting-edge blue technologies!

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Can we generate clean energy further offshore, in deeper waters, and with less impact on coastal landscapes?

In this episode of BlueTech Around the World, we explore how floating offshore wind is unlocking new areas for renewable energy where traditional fixed-bottom turbines can’t go.

Joining me are two experts from BW Ideol, a global leader in floating wind technology:
🎙️ Magali Mouriès, Deputy Chief Technology & Innovation Officer, and
🎙️ Laurent Verdier, Commercial Director.

Together, they unpack the engineering behind BW Ideol’s unique “damping pool” foundation, the challenges of scaling floating wind farms, and what it takes to build a supply chain capable of delivering floating foundations at industrial scale.

We also explore the broader impacts of floating wind, from reducing visual footprint to creating opportunities for ports, shipyards, coastal industries, and co-uses like aquaculture and hydrogen.

🔹 In this episode:
• Floating wind 101: How does it work, and how is it different from fixed-bottom?
• Why floating wind unlocks deeper, windier offshore sites.
• The engineering behind BW Ideol’s damping pool foundation.
• How ports and shipyards play a key role in the floating wind supply chain.
• Scaling challenges: manufacturing, logistics, and global deployment.
• Environmental monitoring and eco-design approaches in floating wind.
• The economics of floating wind: cost trajectories and market competitiveness.
• The future of hybrid offshore platforms: combining wind, solar, hydrogen, and aquaculture.
• Advice for young professionals entering marine renewable energy.

💡 The key question:

Can floating offshore wind scale up as a core clean energy solution while minimizing environmental impacts and creating value for coastal communities?

Connect with our guests:
🌐 Website: www.bw-ideol.com
🔗 LinkedIn: Magali Mouriès | Laurent Verdier

Thank you for listening to BlueTech Around the World! 🌊✨

💡 Resources and Links:

• Follow us on LinkedIn: BlueTech Podcast

• Connect with us on Instagram: @bluetechpodcast

• Watch our episodes on YouTube: BlueTech Around the World

• Visit our Website: https://www.bluetech-podcast.com/

Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share your favorite episodes to help us spotlight the incredible innovations shaping our oceans. 🌊

Stay tuned for more inspiring stories and cutting-edge blue technologies!

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Can disruptive innovation help us feed the planet without harming the ocean?

Aquaculture already feeds over 3 billion people. But with a growing global population and increasing environmental pressures, fish farming needs more than incremental change. It needs a radical upgrade.

In this episode of BlueTech Around the World, we explore how TidalX, a company born from Alphabet’s Moonshot Factory (X), is bringing AI-powered underwater cameras, real-time monitoring, and predictive tools to reinvent aquaculture. One fish at a time.

My guest, Kira Smiley, Global Director of Sales & Marketing at TidalX, walks us through the bold vision behind the tech, the challenges of building innovation that works underwater, and how aquaculture can scale sustainably.

🔹 In this episode:
• Why start with salmon? The strategic logic behind launching in Norway.
• How underwater AI and real-time monitoring are transforming fish farming.
• Smart feeding, sea lice detection, and fish welfare insights, powered by machine learning.
• Designing tech that survives the harshest ocean conditions.
• Collaborating with farmers and respecting traditional expertise.
• Expanding beyond salmon: seabream, tilapia, algae, and new global markets.
• The Moonshot mindset: from Alphabet’s X to aquaculture impact.
• Advice for ocean innovators: when to think 10x , and when a pencil is better than a pen in space. 🚀

💡 The key question:
What happens when we apply moonshot thinking to the world’s oldest form of farming?Thank you for listening to BlueTech Around the World!

Want to connect with Kira or learn more about TidalX?
🌐 Website: www.tidalx.ai
🔗 LinkedIn: Kira Smiley

Resources and Links:

• Follow us on LinkedIn: BlueTech Podcast

• Connect with us on Instagram: @bluetechpodcast

• Watch our episodes on YouTube: BlueTech Around the World

• Visit our Website: https://www.bluetech-podcast.com/

Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share your favorite episodes to help us spotlight the incredible innovations shaping our oceans. 🌊

Stay tuned for more inspiring stories and cutting-edge blue technologies!

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