Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. has announced an ambitious expansion of its commitment to ocean conservation in collaboration with like-minded partners. Building on its existing efforts to combat plastic waste by transforming discarded fishing nets into high-quality recycled materials for Galaxy devices, Samsung is now focusing on restoring damaged marine ecosystems. This new initiative aims to empower local communities and coral reef experts with advanced mobile technology, shedding light on the challenges faced by these vital yet fragile ecosystems.
Driving Meaningful Change for Ocean Conservation
Samsung’s commitment to environmental protection is guided by a vision of innovation that benefits both people and the planet. This dedication has inspired the company’s focus on ocean health, starting with its incorporation of recycled fishing nets into Galaxy devices in 2022. Since then, Samsung has scaled the use of this sustainable material across all Galaxy mobile products to mitigate the impact of ocean-bound plastic on marine ecosystems.
The company’s latest initiative marks a significant step forward. By partnering with the U.S.-based nonprofit Seatrees and the University of California San Diego, Samsung is developing innovative solutions for coral reef restoration. Utilizing Galaxy camera technology, local activists and researchers in coastal communities can monitor and improve the success of reef restoration efforts, addressing the impacts of climate change and pollution on these ecosystems.
“We initiated our commitment to the world’s oceans when we transformed discarded fishing nets into key components of the Galaxy S22 series, incorporating over 150 tonnes of discarded fishing nets into Galaxy devices to date,” said Stephanie Choi, EVP and Head of Marketing of Mobile eXperience Business at Samsung Electronics. “This year, we are furthering our commitment to the oceans by creating purposeful technology that helps protect and restore damaged marine ecosystems worldwide.”
Advancing Reef Monitoring and Restoration
Coral reefs, covering less than 1% of the ocean floor, support approximately 25% of all marine life, making them one of Earth’s most biodiverse ecosystems. They also provide food, income, and coastal protection to millions of people worldwide. However, at the current rate of decline, coral reefs are at risk of disappearing by 2050.
Samsung’s initiative aims to accelerate the development of coral reef restoration projects globally. Scientists from UC San Diego’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography and local communities use photogrammetry to collect and analyze reef data. This approach involves creating 3D models of reefs to better understand their health and growth, enabling targeted interventions to combat climate change’s effects on corals.
Accurate data is essential for these efforts, but capturing high-quality underwater images presents challenges. Traditional underwater photography often suffers from motion blur and distorted colours due to water absorption of long-wavelength light. To overcome these issues, Samsung has developed a customized Ocean Mode for Galaxy cameras. This mode minimizes motion blur, adjusts white balance, and enhances underwater image quality, providing researchers with precise data to improve restoration success.
Dr. Stuart Sandin, Marine Ecologist at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, highlighted the importance of accurate information: “Design and implementation of coral reef restoration need to be informed by reliable data about what works and what does not. Mobile technologies offer an exciting opportunity to expand access to this information.”
Collaborative Efforts for a Sustainable Future
Together with Seatrees, Samsung is deploying Galaxy technology to support restoration projects in regions such as Fiji, Indonesia, and the United States. By equipping local communities and nonprofits with mobile technology, these collaborations aim to democratize coral restoration efforts, creating a more efficient process for addressing the damage caused by climate change, overfishing, and ocean pollution.
Michael Stewart, Co-Founder and Director of Seatrees, emphasized the partnership’s impact: “This collaboration represents a collective effort to rebuild hope by restoring ocean ecosystems. By sharing innovative tools with local communities, we can efficiently restore reefs at scale.”
Throughout 2024, Samsung-supported projects have already planted over 11,000 coral fragments in areas such as Bali, Fiji’s Viti Levu Island, and Florida. Committed to leveraging technology for good, Samsung and its collaborators aim to expand these efforts to new regions, preserving marine ecosystems for future generations.
The Future of Ocean Conservation
Samsung’s initiative showcases the transformative potential of purposeful technology. By combining innovation with collaboration, the company is helping to protect and restore the world’s oceans. Through these efforts, Samsung reinforces its role as a leader in sustainability, inspiring a collective movement to safeguard our planet’s future.
