The following work was presented at the Hydrographic Conference HYDRO 2023, 7–9 November 2023, Genoa, Italy in the oral session Blue Transition.
This article delves into the pivotal role of the oceans, specifically the seafloor, in addressing climate change and food security. Despite its significance, a lack of detailed data on the seafloor hampers informed decision-making by policymakers, impedes sustainable blue economy investments, and hinders the development of blue carbon and biodiversity credit markets. PlanBlue, an innovative technology company, has devised a groundbreaking solution using advanced imaging, underwater navigation, and machine learning to automate seafloor mapping. This article explores the importance of seafloor data, the barriers to access data, and how PlanBlue's technology can improve our understanding of the ocean's potential. The discussion encompasses the significant role of the seafloor as a carbon sink, the necessity for credible data in ocean conservation, and the crucial link between seafloor mapping and effective marine spatial planning. PlanBlue's innovative approach not only adds speed and scale to data collection but also provides multi-layered insights into species health, biomass, and more, contributing to the credibility of marine conservation efforts. The article concludes with a scientific review highlighting the accuracy and meaningfulness of PlanBlue's methodology, validating its transformative impact on the blue carbon industry and seafloor habitat monitoring.