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Dive into the world of marine exploration with the Rapid Assessment TowFish (RATFish) - a cutting-edge technology that enhances our understanding of underwater ecosystems and drives sustainable change. Developed by MARE, a non-profit organization committed to marine research, the RATFish allows for efficient surveys and data collection in coastal habitats, offering new opportunities for marine reserves, fish stock assessments, energy production, and environmental disaster response. Join us in shaping a healthier future for our oceans!
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Eyes in the Ocean The Rapid Assessment TowFish(RATFish) Marine Applied Research and Exploration www.maregroup.org
SOE has a visionary set of goals: • Balance community design with carrying capacity of natural resources • Drive sustainable change
we don’t understand the oceans enough to quantify sustainable change Mission Control- we have a problem
Sustainability—What does it mean? • Only 3% of our oceans are explored • Political and emotional debate • Sustainability remains a concept not an attainable result • Understanding marine ecosystems is a pre-requisite to sustainable change.
Rapid Assessment TowFish • Mid-water or bottom surveys • 20 – 100 meters (the depth zone for the vast majority of coastal habitats) • State of the art visual survey capability • Operable from a small boat (~25 foot) • Packs down into 3 x 100 lb suitcases • Quick deployment • Weather windows
Market Opportunities • Marine reserves • Fish stock assessments • Wave and offshore wind power • BP oil spill
Timeline Year 1: • build and test prototype against proven ROV Year 2: • 60 contract days at sea • Begin vetting qualified manufacturers • Begin marketing to resource managers & scientists Year 3: • 80 contract days at sea • Manufacturer begins production of RATFish
Who is MARE? • 501(c)3 non-profit • Mission: To provide and deploy technology needed to see and understand underwater coastal habitats • Founded in 2003 • Co-led 17 expeditions • Marine Protected Area assessments and surveys • Lost fishing gear recovery missions • Offshore energy site characterizations and biological assessments • Co-convened an international tech conference
MARE personnel : • 75 years of experience design, manufacture and operations • Co-founders have built 400+ ROVs and 5 manned submersibles • David Jeffrey, former VP of Engineering • Dirk Rosen, former CEO Deep Ocean Engineering • 2 Directors have served in top management of several Fortune 500 corporations • Marine biologists and GIS personnel on staff
What’s needed: $150,000 • Conceptual design completed • $50k loan from California Fisheries Fund • $100,000 needed
SOE Goals: • Balance community design with carrying capacity of natural resources • Drive sustainable change These goals are critical.
Oceans are in deep trouble • “Crisis” • Pew Ocean Commission report • “Putting our future at risk” • U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy • 29% collapse already • Global fisheries collapse by 2050?
The future of coastal communities depends on healthy oceans • Coastal tourism • Fishing industry • Sustainable offshore energy production • 20% of world’s protein
The RATFish enables sustainable change • Economical “eyes” into the ocean • Management decisions based on sound data • Better managed coastlines will: • improve tourism opportunities • allow for sustainable ocean energy development where practical • maintain and ultimately increase the supply of seafood protein • generate and keep jobs
Marine Applied Research and Exploration Richmond, CA www.maregroup.org