The Switzerland-based International Standards Organization (ISO), which defines and controls world technologies, is in the process of finalizing an ocean-wide underwater internet and monitoring network that utilizes sound encoded with data as a communication medium. This network comes with a devastating cost—it will create excessive underwater noise that will mask marine mammals' ability to use their echolocation, which is vital to their survival as a species.

You can hear a sample of the sound that this “Smart Ocean” network will be making 24/7 here: https://youtu.be/YmVB3mOTUSI

Our oceans provide 30% of humanity's food and product supply, 50% of our oxygen supply, and cover 70% of our earth. Without proper safeguards, the “Smart Ocean” network will:

Drown out critical echolocation signals used by whales and dolphins to navigate, feed, and reproduce.
Rupture swim bladders in fish and harm coral reefs, which rely on their own "sound symphony" for life and growth.
Pose a danger to swimmers and divers, with sound levels loud enough to rupture human eardrums at close range.

Our team at QOSI is working with international experts and committees to establish safety standards for this new technology. We’re leading the charge to ensure the Smart Ocean underwater network is designed to be safe for marine life and humans while still allowing for technological progress. To make this happen, we’re conducting groundbreaking environmental research, creating a Technical Report, and advocating for solutions like quiet, fiber-optic cables instead of disruptive acoustic transmitters. But we can’t do it alone. This critical work requires time, expertise, and resources—and we need your help.

By contributing to QOSI, you’ll help us: Complete vital environmental safety research. Influence international standards that will shape the future of our oceans. Protect marine ecosystems and ensure safe ocean enjoyment for all. Your donation and willingness to spread the word about our cause bring us closer to a future where technology and nature coexist in harmony. Together, we can ensure our oceans remain safe and full of life for us and future generations. For more information on our cause, please visit https://safesmartocean.org/ or @safesmartocean.

Whale photo by photographer Kelsey Williamson.

Quiet Ocean Standards Initiative Fundraiser

Help us protect marine mammals from harmful technology!