Paris (AFP) – From predicting ocean currents to detecting whales via AI-powered sensors, a wave of environmental innovation took centre stage at this year’s Vivatech trade fair in Paris. A collection of ocean-focused startups presented cutting-edge technologies aimed at both improving efficiency at sea and preserving marine ecosystems though not without raising ethical questions along the way.
Amid the vibrant tech booths and future-facing presentations, the focus on sustainability was unmistakable. Yet the presence of AI and automation in ocean-related industries also sparked a deeper conversation: when it comes to the oceans, should we pursue everything that technology can do or focus more on what it should do?
Smarter Currents, Greener Shipping
Among the standout exhibitors was Amphitrite, a startup founded by oceanographer Alexandre Stegner, which uses artificial intelligence to predict ocean currents with remarkable speed and accuracy.
“We have developed an AI model that crunches several layers of satellite data corresponding to different physical variables,” Stegner said. The system can forecast current patterns up to ten days in advance, offering ship captains a chance to alter their course slightly and ride favourable currents. The result: up to four additional knots in speed.
That marginal boost can translate into real gains, including fuel savings, reduced carbon emissions, and a potential alternative to the often-cited method of simply slowing ships down to cut their environmental impact.
“It’s a simple way to save fuel,” Stegner noted, positioning Amphitrite’s model as a win for both business and the environment.
From AI Whales to Fishing Efficiency
In another corner of the fair, Canadian startup Whale Seeker showcased AI-driven marine mammal detection technology. Founder and marine biologist Emily Charry Tissier explained the urgent need for smart systems in natural environments brimming with complexity.
“We have to use AI because in the natural world there are too many variables to deal with manually,” she told AFP. Whale Seeker’s tools analyze vast datasets through neural networks AI systems inspired by the human brain to locate whales and help protect them from ship strikes and industrial interference.
However, the moral terrain is murky. Tissier revealed that her team turned down a partnership with a company that hoped to use whale tracking as a way to find nearby fish for commercial exploitation.
“I’d like the market to recognise its own limits not the limits of what we can do, but what we should do,” she said.
A Global Push for Ocean Protection
Vivatech’s tech-forward messaging coincided with the conclusion of the UN Ocean Conference in Nice, where global leaders pushed for a treaty to protect 60 percent of the world’s oceans. The agreement, which now has 55 signatures just five short of what’s needed to become law, underscores the urgency of innovation that supports sustainability rather than exploitation.
Andre Abreu, International Affairs Director at the Tara Ocean Foundation, expressed optimism but also caution.
“New technologies could be a very good thing for the oceans,” he said. “But innovation should not be harnessed to allow more fish to be caught. That would mean shooting ourselves in the foot on goals like preserving marine biodiversity.”
Tech for Profit or Planet?
That tension was evident in the presentation by OceanEyes, a Japanese startup using AI to predict sea conditions to help fishing boats locate their catch faster. CEO Yusuke Tanaka acknowledged the challenges faced by Japanese fishers, who often spend long hours searching for fish.
By cutting down on search time and reducing fuel use, the company says its solution can lower emissions and operational costs. At the same time, Tanaka emphasised compliance with Japan’s newly updated regulations, which require fisheries to “ensure sustainable use of marine resources.”
Still, the question lingers: who benefits most from these innovations, ecosystems or economies?
Business, Not Regulation, May Lead the Way
For Tissier and other founders at Vivatech, the future of ocean protection lies not just in regulatory frameworks but also in the decisions made by large corporations.
“Technology is developing so much faster than regulation,” she said. “What I’d like is for big companies to decide for themselves to be responsible.”
Stegner echoed the need for systemic change, calling for new regulations to drive down maritime emissions. Yet in a space where venture funding and industrial demand are key to survival, startups may find themselves navigating tricky waters.
As AI accelerates the capabilities of ocean-related industries, one thing is clear: innovation alone won’t save the seas. Responsibility and restraint must share the helm.
