The Ocean of Things

The digital ocean ecosystem of the future—the Networked Ocean—will rely on an integrated network of underwater vehicles, sensors, and communications systems that will cover the ocean in an ‘always on, always connected’ way. It will enable a better understanding of what’s happening in the ocean, and allow scientists to put real-time information into the hands of policymakers, resource managers, and others who can use it to plan sustainable uses of the ocean, adapt to changing ocean conditions, and create better governance and accountability over its use. (Illustration by Natalie Renier, © Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution)