Sustainable Seas: Ocean Tech & Seafood Waste Recycling

This episode of 'What's Up in Waste' covers the latest technologies and innovations tackling ocean waste. Highlighted solutions include the Saildrone developed by Boeing, which collects ocean data for climate research, and OceanMind, a project using AI to monitor marine protected areas. The episode also points out the environmental footprint of AI and touches on an innovative method to extract chitin from seafood waste to be used for various purposes like food packaging and cosmetics. The episode underscores the importance of balancing innovation with responsibility for the environment.

Check the Show Notes for sources below and more information on this week’s stories.

00:00 Introduction to the Episode

00:47 Spotlight on Saildrone

01:18 Ocean Mind: AI's Role in Marine Protection

01:51 The Environmental Footprint of AI

02:37 Chitin: The Hidden Treasure in Seafood Waste

03:08 Conclusion: The Journey Towards Sustainability

Sources for This Week's Stories:

• Saildrone: An autonomous, unmanned surface vehicle powered by wind and solar energy, designed to collect vital oceanic data. For more information, visit the Saildrone official website.
• OceanMind Project: Utilises AI to monitor marine protected areas across the globe, aiding in the fight against illegal fishing and supporting sustainable ocean management. Learn more at the OceanMind official website.
• Environmental Impact of AI: Insights into the significant water and energy usage by AI technologies, as highlighted in a white paper by Munich RE, titled 'Insuring Generative AI: Risks and Mitigation Strategies'.
• Chitin Extraction Research: University of Connecticut's innovative method to extract chitin from seafood waste for sustainable applications. Additional information is available through the University of Connecticut's research portal.