Technology WG

/ Innovation in ocean observing / Task forces, projects and working groups / Technology WG

CONCEPT NOTE

Rationale:

As originally established, POGO was tightly focused on being a convenor, facilitator, and meeting place to encourage adoption of innovative ocean observing technologies. These new technologies are still understood to be the means through which sustained long-term observations of a wide range of essential ocean variables can be made at an affordable cost to members and their funding agencies, and to widen access to data collection and analysis to a greater number of researchers.

By having the Directors of large global oceanographic research institutions champion new platforms, sensors and techniques, a useful degree of de-risking and proof of concept leadership took place, which encouraged emerging institutes to make the jump into new areas of research. Examples of ocean observing programs either founded or supported by POGO have included: Argo, OceanSITES, International Quiet Ocean Experiment (IQOE), GEO Blue Planet, and the Ocean Biomolecular Observing Network (OBON). POGO has also been active in low-cost technology development, coordination and sharing of information on member ocean observing systems. OBON, with its emphasis on emerging eDNA technology, is a good example of where POGO remains engaged in “innovation in ocean observing”. Low-cost technology is a rapidly evolving field where appropriate technologies, hand-held sensors and small platforms are greatly improving the data collecting capabilities of researchers in less well-funded institutions and remote locations.

Many other stakeholders outside the POGO community also require access to “Innovation in Ocean Observing” especially for operational oceanography, defence and homeland security, marine spatial planning, mapping, and emergency response, and they have made tremendous strides, particularly in advanced sensors, marine autonomous systems, and in data handling and the distribution networks that they require.

There are other highly effective scientific fora (e.g. European Marine Board), Trade Bodies (e.g. Society of Maritime Industries, Pipeline Industries Guild, etc.), Learned Societies (Challenger Society, Society for Underwater Technology SUT, Marine Technology Society MTS, etc.) and Professional Bodies (Institute of Marine Engineering, Science & Technology IMarEST, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Oceanic Engineering Society IEEE-OES, etc.) who foster technical knowledge exchange, continued professional development, training and risk-sharing expertise that are outside of POGO.

POGO presents the unique advantage that it represents the Directors of POGO member institutes, which provides authority. POGO could, and should, demonstrate leadership by producing publications, and organise technology-focused conferences/events, or sessions within conferences that are hosted by other entities, such as those mentioned above.

Over the years, POGO has had several initiatives that involved reaching out to industry, but these have been sporadic, and specific industry relationships have been short-lived. POGO funded an “Industry Liaison Group” in 2015-16, which held a small workshop and developed an analysis of industry sectors that produce and/or benefit from ocean observations, and a set of recommendations to POGO. However, follow-up on these recommendations was limited by available resources (financial and staff). POGO Annual Meetings have on several occasions invited industry sponsorship, with particular success in 2017 (Plymouth, UK) and 2018 (La Jolla, USA).

Following POGO’s External Review in 2024, which produced a set of recommendations on strengthening POGO’s “Innovation in Ocean Observing” Pillar, it was agreed that POGO would establish a dedicated Working Group to reinvigorate these efforts within POGO. Another proposal that has been considered is the secondment of a marine technology/engineering expert to the Secretariat, to support these activities.

A break-out session on the topic of “POGO’s role in fostering, promoting, and adopting emerging technologies” was held during the POGO Directors’ Meeting in Nice in June 2025.

Guiding Principles:

  • The POGO Technology Working Group will be comprised mainly of representatives of POGO member institutions (appointed following a call for nominations issued to the main representatives of POGO member institutions). Additional members can be included, particularly where these would create links to other relevant organisations (such as those listed above).
  • The WG will meet virtually, on a regular basis (frequency to be determined), as well as in-person where practical (e.g. at a POGO or industry meeting).
  • The WG will develop recommendations for consideration by the POGO Board of Trustees and Membership.
  • WG members will endeavour to reach out to – and represent POGO at relevant meetings of – international organisations, associations, and special interest groups focusing on marine technology, instrumentation, engineering, and other industry sectors, as appropriate.
  • The WG may establish sub-groups to focus on specific disciplines, industry sectors, or other focus areas.

Proposed Outputs:

Once established, the WG will discuss and prioritise activities and outputs to be proposed to the Board/Membership. These might include:

  • Organisation of thematic sessions at international conferences (e.g. Oceanology International, Ocean Business, OCEANS, etc)
  • Proposing a special issue in a technology-focussed journal, where POGO members would publish articles on latest technology developments
  • Horizon-scanning and fostering discussions and information sharing among members of emerging technologies that could significantly enhance global ocean observation capabilities; this could particularly benefit from fostering cross-sectoral partnerships between ocean science/technology and other sectors (medical, quantum physics, etc)
  • Developing a strategy for POGO engagement with industry beyond ad hoc sponsorship of meetings – POGO’s value proposition could be providing a forum for instrument manufacturers to evaluate needs and priorities in ocean observing, possible bulk purchasing, pooled insurance, etc.

Status: Standing Standing WG

Year: To be established in 2026

Standing WG Participants

Leader

  • to be confirmed

Participants

  • to be confirmed
Scroll to Top