MTS TechSurge: Fisheries & Benthic Monitoring

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Date: October 8–9, 2025
Location: University of Rhode Island - Bay Campus (Narragansett, Rhode Island)
Agenda: Agenda Here >>

MTS in partnership with Rhode Island Sea Grant and the University of Rhode Island (URI), and in collaboration with the Responsible Offshore Science Alliance (ROSA) and the Northeast Regional Ocean Council (NROC), invites you to save the date for the Fisheries & Benthic Monitoring TechSurge.

This focused, two-day TechSurge will convene experts from across sectors to explore advancements in monitoring technologies and practices that support responsible offshore development.

Program Highlights Include:

  • Advancements in benthic mapping technologies
  • The use of technology to transition from traditional survey methods, including highlights on new innovations
  • Monitoring technologies applicable to offshore development
  • A panel featuring perspectives from members of the fishing community
  • Informal mentor connections to support relationship-building

By registering for this event, all attendees, regardless of MTS membership status, agree to adhere to the Marine Technology Society's Code of Conduct.

  Abstracts Topics

Abstracts were being accepted for the following topics. 

  • Advancements in seafloor and benthic community mapping technologies: This session invites advancements in benthic mapping technologies that enable more nimble surveys with decreased mobilization times, longer work times across various sea states and distances from shore, and capable of the data resolutions necessary for identifying safety hazards, historical resources, and fisheries habitats (e.g., continuous acoustic data collection, high-resolution seafloor imagery).
  • Use of technology and/or methodologies to transition from traditional survey: This session will cover advancements in marine fisheries and habitat resource survey technologies, software, or platforms that facilitate the transition from conventional methods to improved solutions, enhancing the resilience of long-term monitoring programs and their historical data series.
  • Monitoring technologies applicable to offshore development: This session invites presentations and updates from technology providers and projects using technology and novel approaches to conduct environmental monitoring offshore. Examples include applications of eDNA sampling, imaging techniques, mechanisms to transmit data from remote locations (e.g., satellite linkages, cabled arrays), and software methodologies (e.g., AI techniques for analyzing and interpreting / data).

 Registration

NOTE: Due to space limitations, this event is at capacity. If you are interested in joining the waitlist, please email [email protected]. Otherwise, you can join with our virtual option. 

Category Early Bird Rates (Deadline: August 8, 2025) After Early Bird Rates
MTS Members* $175 $225
Non-Members $270 (includes 1-year MTS membership) $320 (includes 1-year MTS membership)
ECOP Members (No Deadline) $100 $100
ECOP Non-Members (No Deadline) $150 (includes 1-year MTS membership) $150 (includes 1-year MTS membership)
Student Members (No Deadline) $50 $50
Student Non-Members (No Deadline) $75 $75

*Discounted rates are available for qualifying start-up companies. To receive a start-up discount code, please email [email protected] and be prepared to share brief details about your company’s age, financial status, and employee count.

Online Registration

Virtual participation options are now available to support broader access.

Category Virtual Registration Rates
MTS Members $100
Non-Members $150
Student Members Free

 

By registering for this event, all attendees, regardless of MTS membership status, agree to adhere to the Marine Technology Society's Code of Conduct.

REGISTER TO ATTEND

blueTIDES

Everyone attending the TechSurge is invited to blueTIDES After Dark - a social hosted by Blue Robotics at Tower Hill Brewing Co. (25 Village Square Dr, South Kingstown, RI 02879, USA) on October 9 at 5:30 PM. blueTIDES harnesses Technology, Innovation, Discovery, and Exciting Stuff to fuel epic, inclusive events driving the future of the Blue Economy.

​Blue Robotics will provide the food, drinks, and location; you provide the ideas, conversation, and slammin' good vibes. Registration required to attend. 

Thank You to Our Sponsors

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Tech Cafe Exhibitors

The Tech Café will feature live desktop demonstrations that showcases technologies and platforms. It is an opportunity to engage with industry leaders, exchange ideas, and make connections with industry experts, research scientists, government representatives, and technology providers. 

Meet the exhibitors:

  • Nortek
  • OceanSpace
  • JASCO Applied Sciences
  • TetraTech
  • Echoview Software Pty Ltd
  • Orpheus Ocean
  • Grow Blue + University of Rhode Island Research Foundation
  • University of Rhode Island

Travel Information 

Find information on getting to the University of Rhode Island- Narragansett Bay Campus here and a copy of the Bay Campus map is here.

There is no official room block reserved for the TechSurge. We encourage attendees to explore the wide range of hotel options available in the area to find accommodations that best suit their needs.  Below is a list of hotels near the event.

 Seeking Support to Attend?

We recognize that financial circumstances — such as recent layoffs  — may limit the ability for some folks to attend in person. MTS is exploring opportunities to provide registration and travel assistance to help ensure broad participation. If this type of support would make it possible for you to join us, we encourage you to reach out so we can better understand the level of need.

Please email [email protected] to express your interest. Thank you for helping us ensure this event remains accessible to all who wish to participate.