Project oceanoasis
Mission Statement
Project OceanOasis (PO2) is an international Australian-based non-profit initiative dedicated to advancing ocean long-term monitoring through modular, autonomous, AI-powered underwater systems. These monitoring systems provide seamless upgrades with a cloud database, revealing critical long-term spatial and temporal patterns. PO2’s strength lies in collaborating with international leaders in Software, Hardware, and Marine Science to provide comprehensive ecosystem data that empowers informed decisions to safeguard marine ecosystems for future generations.
OUR PILLARS
Our work is built upon three interconnected pillars.
Software Pillar
Advanced AI for Ocean Insights
We’re harnessing cutting-edge artificial intelligence that interprets the ocean in a true 3D context. Our platform integrates the latest foundation models with plans to use new innovative training methodologies, allowing systems to recognise, classify and analyse marine life with unprecedented accuracy. By combining a three-dimensional field and the latest identification models to the AI with environmental data, our modelling approach reveals patterns that evolve over time—patterns that have been invisible to conventional monitoring. The result is a cloud platform of pre-analysed data that grows more valuable with each passing day, with our most innovative techniques remaining securely and eagerly under development.
Hardware Pillar
Autonomous Systems Built to Endure
Our autonomous solar/battery powered underwater camera systems and custom edge computing solutions form the backbone of our data collection network. Engineered for real-time monitoring, energy efficiency, and minimal maintenance, these systems operate reliably in diverse marine environments. Each unit processes vast amounts of data on-site at the ‘edge’, enabling true long-term autonomous operation where traditional systems fail.
Science Pillar
Data-Powered Marine Conservation
We bridge technology with research by empowering scientists with novel long-term datasets that illuminate biodiversity patterns, ecosystem resilience, and environmental stressors. From mapping species assemblages to monitoring climate change impacts, we deliver actionable insights that guide conservation strategies, policy decisions, and continued innovation in marine science.
Our Innovative
Monitoring Technology
Project Ocean Oasis is engineering next-generation underwater monitoring systems that not only capture high-fidelity ocean data but thrive during years of deployment in challenging marine environments. What sets our approach apart is the seamless integration of cutting-edge AI with rugged, purpose-built hardware designed for the most demanding ocean conditions.
Through our strategic partnership with WASSOC—an industry leader with over 40 years of expertise in subsea engineering—we’ve co-developed an autonomous monitoring platform that solves the key challenges that have limited long-term ocean observation:
Key Innovations
Unparalleled Durability
Our systems are designed for years of deployment while withstanding reef surges, corrosion, and biofouling and operating maintenance-free for months at a time.
Advanced Future-Ready AI Processing:
Each unit runs up to 4-6 integrated AI models simultaneously, with internal hardware designed for scalable future growth.
Remote Management:
OTA (Over-The-Air) updates enable continuous model improvements and new capabilities without physical intervention .
3D Contextual Analysis
Unlike traditional 2D imaging systems, our technology incorporates complete three-dimensional context for unprecedented accuracy.
Cloud-Powered Insights
Processed data flows directly to our cloud platform, illuminating new ecological long-term spatial and temporal patterns.
Modular Design
Our scalable, daisy-chain compatible systems can be easily deployed across diverse environments and expanded as needed .
Scientific Method
Designed by scientists for scientists, our installations are consistently linked and meticulously standardized to ensure comparable data.
Practical Benefits
Reduced Field Costs:
Less time processing data means more resources for conservation.
Higher Quality Data:
AI-powered analysis provides consistent, undisturbed objective measurements across space and time.
Actionable Insights:
Beyond our data, our systems deliver contextual information that looks to directly support future decision-making.
Seamless Upgrades:
As AI technology advances, deployed systems look to evolve through model OTA updates, new sensor instruments and higher remote processing power.
Backed by WASSOC’s decades of innovation in subsea imaging, illumination, and marine robotics, PO2’s hardware is purpose-built to pioneer a new era of AI-driven ocean monitoring worldwide.
Our Vision & Roadmap
Project Ocean Oasis is unfolding in strategic phases, each building upon our successes and insights to expand our impact on marine conservation.
Phase 01
Foundation & Validation
We're establishing the groundwork for long-term success through:
- Deploying our First Article Testing systems in selected marine environments.
- Operating continuous monitoring for 9+ months to validate durability and performance.
- Fine-tuning AI models with real-world data and optimising our cloud platform.
- Publishing initial research comparing our methodology to traditional monitoring approaches.
- Securing necessary permits and regulatory approvals for expanded deployments.
Phase 02
Strategic Expansion
With proven technology, we'll accelerate our reach through:
- Implementing hardware and software refinements based on Phase 1 insights.
- Expanding our monitoring network to diverse marine ecosystems.
- Securing government and foundation funding for large-scale deployments.
- Building strategic partnerships with marine research institutions.
- Growing our community of staff, supporters, donors, technicians and volunteers.
Phase 03
Research Leadership
Our expanding data network will enable unprecedented scientific discovery:
- Publishing peer-reviewed research on newly discovered ecological patterns.
- Integrating cutting-edge technology advances into our monitoring systems.
- Establishing PO2 as the global leader in AI-powered marine monitoring.
- Developing specialised monitoring approaches for critical ecosystems.
- Creating an international collaborative network of marine scientists and conservationists.
Phase 04
Biomass Intelligence
Unlocking the secrets of productive marine ecosystems.
Phase 05
Ocean Oasis Creation
From monitoring to active restoration and enhancement
We're keeping the details of our most ambitious phases under wraps for now, but our ultimate vision extends far beyond monitoring—toward a future where technology doesn't just observe marine ecosystems but helps them thrive in entirely new ways.
Initiating a Positive Loop
At Project Ocean Oasis, our approach centres around a self-reinforcing cycle where improvements in each pillar drive advancements throughout the entire system. With dedicated funding allocation for continuous improvement, we’ve designed a framework that accelerates our mission of comprehensive ocean monitoring.
Hardware
Deployment
Science
Insights
Software
Enhance
Accelerating Impact
This positive feedback loop gains momentum with each cycle. As part of our nonprofit commitment, a structured percentage of all funding is systematically reinvested into each pillar:
Hardware Advancements
Enhancing our autonomous integrations, subsea cameras, biofouling mitigation systems and new instrument integration.
Software Intelligence
Developing more sophisticated AI models with finer classification abilities, built upon a continually growing dataset and innovative training methodologies.
Scientific Applications
Expanding research partnerships, conservation applications, involvement in scientific peer reviewed studies based on our growing dataset.
With our WASSOC-engineered systems designed for First Article Testing, we’re positioned to begin this virtuous cycle—moving steadily toward our vision of providing the most comprehensive interlinked ecosystem data worldwide.
Collaboration and Partnerships
Get Involved
Join us in pioneering the future of ocean conservation. Contact us to learn more about our work, explore partnership opportunities, or support Project Ocean Oasis.