Kongsberg Satellite Services, SeaForester and Kongsberg Discovery have signed an agreement to jointly develop a monitoring system for Europe’s kelp forests, aiming to support large-scale restoration and sustainable management.
The partnership comes as global kelp coverage has fallen by around 50% in the past 50 years, affecting marine life, carbon capture and ocean health. The partners plan to combine satellite data with underwater sensing to deliver continuous, high-quality insight into kelp forest conditions.
KSAT will contribute satellite-based information such as sea temperature and ocean colour, while Kongsberg Discovery will provide hydroacoustic monitoring and seabed mapping technology. SeaForester will apply the data directly to large-scale restoration projects across Europe.
SeaForester CEO Pål Bakken said better monitoring is essential to speed up recovery and scale restoration efforts. Kongsberg representatives added that integrating space-based and ocean data will give decision-makers the tools needed to protect and rebuild marine ecosystems.
The project also supports global goals set by the United Nations to restore and protect millions of hectares of kelp forests by 2040.
