Seagrass Carbon Removal Power

Will O'Brien explains the critical importance of seagrass in ocean ecosystems and how his company Ulysses is using autonomous robots to help restore this vital marine plant. Seagrass is rapidly declining worldwide, threatening marine ecosystems, carbon sequestration, and food security for billions of people.

Key Points:

• Seagrass is a critically important but little-known ocean plant:

  • 10 times more abundant than coral reefs
  • 35 times better than rainforests at removing carbon
  • Holds about 20% of the carbon in the ocean
  • Supports about a quarter of the world's most critically important fish stocks

• Seagrass is facing a severe crisis:

  • Dying off at 7% loss per annum worldwide
  • Causes include water quality issues, coastal construction, dredging, changing ocean temperatures, and changing ocean currents

• The consequences of losing seagrass are dire:

  • Loss of fish stocks affects 1 billion people who rely on it for income
  • 3 billion people depend on it for food
  • Entire marine ecosystems could collapse
  • Functions as a "baby crib" for the ocean where small fish, crabs, seahorses, and endangered species live early in their life

• Ulysses is addressing this problem with technology:

  • Building autonomous robots specifically for maritime operations
  • Created a system with a "mothership" surface vehicle that releases "daughter robots" (autonomous underwater vehicles)
  • These robots collect seeds, plant seeds, and measure growth of seagrass
  • Generated $1 million in revenue in their first year with just 5 people and $2 million in funding

• Their business model is driven by:

  • Government contracts for compliance-driven restoration (laws requiring replanting when seagrass is damaged)
  • Voluntary restoration initiatives
  • Current contracts in Western Australia, Florida, and Virginia

• Recent technological advances have made this possible:

  • 3D printers enabling faster iteration
  • Reduced costs for batteries and electronic components
  • Starlink providing essential communication capabilities with ocean assets