Justin Manley is a veteran of the ocean technology world: his career began over 30 years ago
when he started building ocean robots as a student at the Massachusetts Institute of
Technology. After working in academic labs, he moved into government, advancing tech
development and ocean exploration at NOAA, before diving into the private sector with startups
and multinationals. Now, as president of Just Innovation Inc., Justin focuses on impact investing
and ocean conservation technologies. Drawing from his broad experience, here he shares his
insights on the future of ocean technology.

What are some of the key trends you’re seeing in the ocean tech industry?

There are two key trends that I’m particularly focused on. First, the barriers to entry for
developing and deploying ocean technologies are coming down. This is largely due to
advancements we’ve seen in everyday technology—things like more affordable processors,
sensors, and even AI, which have all been driven by developments on land, such as the
smartphone industry. These innovations are making it easier for new entrepreneurs and
researchers to create compelling ocean technologies.

The second trend is the increasing demand for ocean observation and operations. Traditional
methods, like expensive ships and buoys, are being challenged by the need for more affordable
and scalable solutions. This demand is driven by initiatives like the 30 by 30 movement, which
aims to protect 30% of the ocean by 2030. That’s a huge increase in the amount of marine
protected area. If we assume that we’re going to actually do something to protect it, what we do
today with ships and airplanes isn’t going to work.

What do you think are potentially disruptive technologies that we should be watching for
in the future?

There are two areas that I’m particularly excited about: sensors and platforms. We’re seeing a
lot of progress in solid-state sensors, which have been driven by the biotech and medical device
industries. These sensors, often referred to as ‘lab on a chip,’ are becoming more affordable and
will allow us to collect much more data at a lower cost.

At the same time, ocean platforms—like autonomous boats powered by solar energy—are
becoming more accessible. While they’re still expensive, they’re far cheaper than traditional
research vessels, which could revolutionize how we monitor and interact with the ocean. When
you combine more affordable sensors with these new platforms, the potential for disruption in
the ocean tech space is enormous.

 

What are you looking forward to at the upcoming OCEANS2024 conference?

For me, OCEANS is all about the networking. It’s a chance to catch up with old friends and
colleagues and meet new people in the field. I’m also excited about the entrepreneurial energy
and the innovative research that will be showcased.

I’m particularly interested in the specialized panels that offer more interactivity. These sessions
provide a great opportunity to engage with experts and explore new ideas.

The theme this year is Aligning Diverse Communities for Tomorrow’s Ocean – What can
the ocean tech community do to help support this idea of diversity and alignment?

I like to think of the ocean as a unifying force. At the end of the day, not everybody knows it, but
every human being has some value add to their life from the ocean. Some people, like those
who catch fish for a living, are intimately aware of it, or people who are surfers for fun—they get
it. But every other global citizen depends upon the ocean too.

What’s really important for the tech community is to recognize there’s a big gap between
individual awareness and the actual role of the ocean. A great example of how Ocean Tech can
bridge this gap is the MATE ROV competition. This event brings the ocean into schools in the
form of a robot competition, and it’s amazing to see how many young people, from all sorts of
diverse backgrounds—regionally, economically, racially—get involved. The competition helps to
make the ocean more tangible and accessible to them, fostering a sense of connection and
collaboration across these diverse communities. It’s initiatives like this that really emphasize the
ocean’s role as a unifying force and help bring people together across different divides.

Is there anything else you’d like to share with the readers?

I’d like to emphasize that the ocean community is incredibly welcoming. Whether you’re new to
the field or transitioning into it, there’s always someone willing to share their time and expertise.
My advice to newcomers is to be proactive—raise your hand, introduce yourself, and start
building your network. The ocean has a unique way of bringing people together, and there’s no
better place to experience that than within this community.
…
CarolAnne Black tells ocean stories. She is the founder and principal consultant at CarolAnne
Black Consulting Science Writers.