Meet "Blue Tech"—The Tech Sector Saving the Sea

For many coastal communities, the ocean is a part of everyday life. We see fishing boats leaving the harbor, watch the tide rise and fall, and hear the waves crashing along the shoreline. But in recent years, our waters have faced growing challenges. From plastic pollution to rising sea levels, marine ecosystems are changing rapidly—including right here in Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts.

While protecting the ocean can feel like a job left entirely to global organizations, real change often begins with small, innovative ideas. Around the world, engineers and researchers are developing "Blue Tech"—technologies designed to work with the ocean to collect data, generate renewable energy, and protect marine life.

As someone currently working on projects that harness ocean energy to help our planet, I’ve seen firsthand how these innovations can combat major environmental threats, such as:

• Ocean warming and acidification

• Marine plastic pollution

• Overfishing and habitat destruction

What Exactly is Blue Tech and the Blue Economy?

Blue tech refers to any technology engineered to improve ocean health and support a Blue Economy—the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth and better livelihoods, all while preserving marine ecosystems. This includes breakthroughs in sectors like marine renewable energy, smart aquaculture (sustainable seafood), green maritime transport, and eco-conscious coastal tourism.

How You Can Get Involved

Blue tech isn't just for scientists. It’s for students who want to save the planet, community members who care about the future of local coastlines, and lifelong learners fascinated by new ideas.

Protecting the ocean requires collaboration. If you’re interested in creating a better, bluer future, leave a comment below with your thoughts, or follow along with my upcoming ocean energy projects!

About the author:

Abby Wei leads the Boston Chapter and is a rising senior at Tabor Academy with a strong interest in marine and energy engineering. She has hands-on experience building underwater vehicles and using underwater photogrammetry to create seafloor maps, and has developed skills in mechanical design, soldering, CAD modeling, data analysis, and full hardware integration. She also designed and built a composite, modular marine power-generation platform, a portable offshore system that integrates wave, solar, and moisture-enabled energy technologies to support long-duration underwater operations. In addition, Abby conducts independent research on sea level rise and tidal dynamics, gaining experience in scientific analysis, writing research papers, designing scientific posters, public presentations, and communicating results through outreach materials. Through these experiences, Abby has developed both technical skills and the ability to explain complex ideas clearly. Her experiences have prepared her to contribute to collaborative learning environments and to support others in understanding engineering concepts.