The Programme addresses the growing need for evidence-based ocean stewardship, supporting sustainable offshore energy development, marine protection, and regulatory compliance. By combining subsea sensing, autonomous platforms, and data analytics, Transparent Oceans enables continuous insight into environmental conditions, ecosystem health, and human impacts across the marine domain.
Research Focus Areas
Subsea & Water Column Environmental Sensing
Development and deployment of robust sensor systems for monitoring physical, chemical, and biological parameters, including acoustics, turbidity, temperature, noise, and biodiversity indicators.
Autonomous & Distributed Monitoring Systems
Use of autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), fixed seabed nodes, and mobile platforms to deliver persistent, cost-effective environmental monitoring in challenging offshore environments.
Environmental Data Integration & Digital Twins
Integration of multi-source environmental data into digital twins and decision-support tools, enabling real-time situational awareness, impact assessment, and scenario analysis.
Monitoring, Verification & Compliance
Technologies and methodologies to support environmental monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) for offshore energy, subsea infrastructure, and marine developments.
Cumulative Impact & Long-Term Change
Assessment of cumulative and long-term environmental impacts, supporting adaptive management strategies and improved understanding of ocean system dynamics.
Industry and Societal Impact
The Transparent Oceans Programme delivers impact by:
- Enabling transparent, defensible environmental evidence for offshore operations
- Supporting regulatory compliance and faster consenting processes
- Reducing environmental risk and uncertainty for industry
- Improving public trust in offshore energy and marine developments
- Advancing marine science and ecosystem understanding
The Programme supports the transition to sustainable offshore energy systems, ensuring that economic development is balanced with environmental protection and societal expectations.
Facilities and Collaboration
- Environmental and acoustic sensing laboratories
- Autonomous systems integration and testing facilities
- Data analytics and digital modelling platforms
- Offshore and near-shore test environments
- Hyperspectral Imaging Lab
- The DART (Dynamic Advanced Response Training) simulation suite
- Offshore energy operators and supply-chain companies
- Environmental consultancies and technology providers
- Regulators, policymakers, and public agencies
- Academic and research partners in the UK and internationally
These partnerships ensure that Transparent Oceans delivers deployable technologies, trusted data, and lasting environmental benefit.
Find out more
Learn more about collaborative research opportunities at the National Subsea Centre: