3 min read
Jul 9, 2025
As part of the Canadian Ocean Technology Delegation to France and the Canadian delegation to the UN Ocean Conference (UNOC3), Ocean Diagnostics joined global decision makers, scientists, conservation organizations, philanthropists and other technology companies to discuss how to advance ocean protection.
Despite the countless side events and topics covered, very clear themes emerged:
- Plastic pollution and biodiversity loss are major ocean threats that require immediate and measurable action driven by scientific data.
- Canada has many exciting technologies already available to collect and monitor such data.
- Governments, philanthropists and foundations must scale up support for the science needed for the oceans we want through different funding mechanisms.
All the pieces are in place, and the time to act is now. Here’s how.
Plastic Pollution
A recurring theme at One Ocean Science Congress, Blue Economy and Finance Forum (BEFF), and UNOC3 was the importance of preventing and significantly reducing marine pollution of all kinds, particularly from land-based activities. Plastics make up most of the pollution entering waterways, but a lack of standardization and field data often prevent action or compliance. To protect our oceans, our water and our health, we must fight marine pollution at the source.
Microplastics are now in 60% of the seafood we eat
Single-use plastics are no longer viable. The only way forward is through a circular economy that supports alternative materials, nature-based solutions, public and private investment and implementation of policies. A strong international binding plastics treaty that addresses plastic production, with hopes to be finalized at INC 5.2 in August, is necessary.
Biodiversity Loss
- Marine Protected Areas: UNOC3 resulted in over 20 new MPAs announced where all extractive activities will be banned. While these are exciting strides forward, mechanisms to monitor their effectiveness still lack and need additional support.
- Biofouling was a hot topic aboard the Norwegian Statsraad Lehmkuhl where the impacts of marine shipping industry on ocean biodiversity were discussed While Canada, Norway and Fiji lead the way in policy and technology development to tackle this challenge, a barrier remains: It has been difficult, if not impossible, to collect baseline data on and actively monitor foreign and invasive species in a cost effective manner.
Multi-stakeholder collaboration is essential to move from policy to action, and cutting-edge, scalable technology can support ports in collecting ongoing data. - Environmental DNA (eDNA) was highlighted as an effective tool for monitoring biodiversity and supporting SDG 14. eDNA is a non-destructive method of extracting DNA from environmental samples. It can accurately assess and monitor the health of marine habitats and MPAs by accurately detecting key and invasive species using genomics techniques.
Promising Ocean Technology
Bordering three oceans and boasting the longest coastline in the world, Canada has emerged as a world leader in ocean monitoring technologies that can tackle these challenges, but Canada’s Ocean Supercluster (OSC) estimates that $175M annually needs to be invested in ocean solutions to help sustain our oceans and grow the blue economy.
Joining OSC as part of the Canadian Delegation on Ocean Technology to France, Ocean Diagnostics Inc. was among the several Canadian technology companies to present at BEFF and the Nice Ocean Business Forum on innovative solutions to help governments and scientists overcome the challenges of collecting and monitoring ocean data. These tools are crucial for supporting MPAs and tackling plastic pollution.
Innovative technologies exist to advance ocean monitoring. While the need and interest are strong, the barrier of financing mechanisms to get the technology into the hands of scientists and government researchers remains.
Financing
UNOC3 noted that despite covering three major planetary issues—climate change, biodiversity loss and plastic pollution—SDG 14 has a huge financial gap. Without healthy oceans, human health, food security and the global economy are set to decline. Conserving the ocean is good business. It’s time to invest.
Hosted by Prince Albert II of Monaco, BEFF featured prominent world diplomates, royalty, philanthropists and investors. Yet the kick-off and overlaying theme throughout the event remained a clear call to action for international agreements driven by science that translate into concrete policies that investors can support.
Dr. Andrew Forrest, philanthropist and founder of our Australian collaborator Minderoo Foundation, delivered a strong message:
“If we protect 30% of our oceans and introduce soft enforcement that doesn’t cost the government, we protect the remaining 70%—we can have flourishing oceans.”
Canada's Ocean Supercluster (OSC) has invested $150M into sustainable ocean innovation to help protect our oceans and grow the blue economy. Offering non-dilutive funding to unlock and de-risk additional investments, it has now supported 180 Canadian startups to develop key technology. These types of investments are key to propelling action.
Next Steps
With all the pieces in place to collect the data needed to inform policies and monitor solutions to protect our oceans from plastic pollution and biodiversity loss, now is the time to act. The question remains: Will global decision-makers and funders support real and meaningful impact through ratified policy and sufficient funding?
The technology is here. Canada is ready. Let’s get to work!
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Learn more about Ocean Diagnostics' ocean monitoring technologies here.