33 min
Exploring Ocean Technology and Sustainability: A Conversation with Erika Montague | Ocean Ep 9 Better Worlds
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- Technology
Why do giant squid, hunters of the deepest ocean, have such big eyes? How do you go from being a scientist on the deck of a ship to funding ocean innovators? And what kind of discoveries does the ocean need now? Erika Montague, chief technologist with Schmidt Marine, explores these questions and more with Host Kate Wing, founder of The Intertidal Agency, on this first episode of the Ocean series.
Erika Mongague, chief technologist with Schmidt Marine Technology Partners, explores the question: “why on Earth do squid have eyes that are so big?”
LED lights have been in use for a long time but only recently improved to the point they could be used to find the giant squid in the deep, dark ocean. Now with LED lights and the mimicry of jellyfish behavior, ocean scientists are capturing film and new data in their search for the giant squid.
It turns out, they are looking for jellyfish, where other tasty fish hide. Scientists now use bioluminescence from LED lights to flash and create a signal, or a decoy, to lure the squid closer to their tracking devices and cameras. In this inaugural episode of Better Worlds Ocean, Erika explains the process of hunting the giant squid followed by a discussion on microgrants, Web 3 innovation proposals and startup funding.
About Erika
Erika Montague is the Chief Technologist at Schmidt Marine Technology Partners. She is an oceanographer, explorer and evangelist of technology for a healthier ocean, with a Ph.D. in oceanography from Johns Hopkins University. She works as a consultant with Schmidt Marine. Her past research has involved work with submersibles and unmanned vehicles with a focus on the development of novel, nondestructive methods for studying extreme and remote marine environments. Erika has led cruises to study bioluminescent life forms, and marine debris, and to test underwater technologies for use at the surface and down to the deepest parts of the ocean, including work on the land and submersible teams for James Cameron’s DEEPSEA CHALLENGE expedition. She aims to bridge the gap between diverse stakeholders to create more sustainable technologies, and works on outreach efforts that leverages the technology driven culture of today to empower the next generation.
Why do giant squid, hunters of the deepest ocean, have such big eyes? How do you go from being a scientist on the deck of a ship to funding ocean innovators? And what kind of discoveries does the ocean need now? Erika Montague, chief technologist with Schmidt Marine, explores these questions and more with Host Kate Wing, founder of The Intertidal Agency, on this first episode of the Ocean series.
Erika Mongague, chief technologist with Schmidt Marine Technology Partners, explores the question: “why on Earth do squid have eyes that are so big?”
LED lights have been in use for a long time but only recently improved to the point they could be used to find the giant squid in the deep, dark ocean. Now with LED lights and the mimicry of jellyfish behavior, ocean scientists are capturing film and new data in their search for the giant squid.
It turns out, they are looking for jellyfish, where other tasty fish hide. Scientists now use bioluminescence from LED lights to flash and create a signal, or a decoy, to lure the squid closer to their tracking devices and cameras. In this inaugural episode of Better Worlds Ocean, Erika explains the process of hunting the giant squid followed by a discussion on microgrants, Web 3 innovation proposals and startup funding.
About Erika
Erika Montague is the Chief Technologist at Schmidt Marine Technology Partners. She is an oceanographer, explorer and evangelist of technology for a healthier ocean, with a Ph.D. in oceanography from Johns Hopkins University. She works as a consultant with Schmidt Marine. Her past research has involved work with submersibles and unmanned vehicles with a focus on the development of novel, nondestructive methods for studying extreme and remote marine environments. Erika has led cruises to study bioluminescent life forms, and marine debris, and to test underwater technologies for use at the surface and down to the deepest parts of the ocean, including work on the land and submersible teams for James Cameron’s DEEPSEA CHALLENGE expedition. She aims to bridge the gap between diverse stakeholders to create more sustainable technologies, and works on outreach efforts that leverages the technology driven culture of today to empower the next generation.
33 min