The Marine Technology Society (MTS) hosted the Fisheries & Benthic Monitoring TechSurge on October 8–9 at the University of Rhode Island (URI) Bay Campus in Narragansett, Rhode Island. The event convened more than 150 experts — including over 15 virtual participants — to examine the latest advancements in fisheries and benthic monitoring technologies supporting responsible offshore development.

Organized in partnership with the University of Rhode Island, the Responsible Offshore Science Alliance (ROSA), the Northeast Regional Ocean Council (NROC), Rhode Island Sea Grant, the Inner Space Center, and the Ocean Exploration Cooperative Institute (OECI), the TechSurge aligned closely with our mission to advance marine technology and foster collaboration across disciplines.

Pre-TechSurge Activities

The week began with a virtual pre-event webinar, Collaborative Approaches to Advance UUVs for Offshore Wind, held on October 6. The session featured five projects funded by the National Offshore Wind Research and Development Consortium (NOWRDC), each focused on developing and testing uncrewed systems for environmental monitoring.

The TechSurge featured a flipped model of participation. All abstract presentations were pre-recorded and shared with attendees in advance. By providing abstracts in advance, the TechSurge created space for deeper discussion, collaboration, and solution-oriented dialogue during the in-person program.

Program Highlights

The two-day program featured curated panels, lightning talks, over 25 abstract presentations, and a student poster session addressing a range of topics, including benthic mapping, new survey methods, and emerging monitoring technologies. Sessions explored how to transition from traditional sampling techniques toward integrating more state-of-the-art, autonomous, innovative methods, systems, and analyses. 

Key themes included:

• Advancements in seafloor and benthic community mapping technologies
• Use of technology and/or methodologies to transition from traditional survey
• Monitoring technologies applicable to offshore development

A dedicated fisheries panel added valuable stakeholder perspectives from the fishing community, underscoring the importance of collaboration in developing effective monitoring solutions.

Engagement and Knowledge Exchange

Throughout the event, participants had multiple opportunities to engage directly with technology developers, researchers, and resource managers. The Tech Café — an interactive exhibit hall — featured hands-on demonstrations, lightning talks, and the student poster session showcasing applied innovation. Exhibitors included:

• Nortek
• OceanSpace
• JASCO Applied Sciences
• Tetra Tech
• Echoview Software Pty Ltd
• Orpheus Ocean
• Grow Blue + University of Rhode Island Research Foundation
• University of Rhode Island

The MTS URI Student Section played a leading role in hosting attendees for campus and JASCO Applied Sciences tours, offering first-hand views of local research and instrumentation facilities. Informal mentor connections throughout the event supported relationship-building and knowledge transfer between established professionals and early career participants.

Closing and Acknowledgments

The TechSurge concluded with blueTIDES After Dark, a networking reception hosted by Blue Robotics, celebrating two days of discussion, collaboration, and innovation. MTS extends its appreciation to all partners and sponsors whose support made the event possible:

• Platinum Sponsors: New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) and Shell
• Bronze Sponsors: AKRF and Grow Blue + University of Rhode Island Research Foundation
• Closing Reception: Blue Robotics
• Partners: University of Rhode Island,  ROSA, NROC, Sea Grant Rhode Island,  Inner Space Center, OECI, and Baird Symposium
  

The Fisheries & Benthic Monitoring TechSurge demonstrated the collective progress being made in advancing tools, methodologies, and partnerships for ocean observation. Through continued collaboration and technology integration, our community is laying the foundation for more efficient, inclusive, and science-informed approaches to support responsible offshore development.