Funding Proposal

Quiet Ocean Standards Initiative (QOSI) Funding Proposal, for a Safe Smart Ocean

Introduction

There is currently under consideration internationally a new “Smart” Ocean Underwater Network technology, which is a communication network designed to gather and then forward data encoded on sound waves in order to provide: (1) added Military observation and early alerts to submarine attacks; (2) the monitoring and tracking of marine life, ocean currents and temperatures; (3) the locating and resolving pockets of pollution by releasing chemicals that will dissolve this pollution; (4) the adding of an additional internet network; and (5) providing a method of connecting underwater communications to cell towers on land and satellites in space.

The Smart Ocean Network will consist of sensor stations (ie. powerful modems), conical in shape and about the size of a dining room table, which will be peppered throughout all the oceans, positioned on the ocean floor. They will communicate the information that has been collected to each other through powerful sound waves. Sensor stations will report to a buoy, which is called a base station, which collects the data in the underwater portion and converts it into a WiFi (5G) type signal above the water, where the data is transferred to the cell towers on land and satellites in space.

Goal of our Quiet Ocean Standards Initiative (QOSI):

To keep the ocean safe for all varieties of marine life including cetaceans (marine mammals) and for all who enjoy the ocean, including human swimmers and divers.

Purpose of the Funding:

To support our team working on the Underwater International Internet of Things (UIoT) committee (Geneva, Switzerland) to develop safe technical standards for the new ocean network communication architecture.
To conduct a risk assessment and environmental safety research on the proposed all acoustic system, to write and submit a technical report (TR) that will inform and advise the international committee members (voting delegates whose role is to determine which technical standards will be adopted, published, and implemented).
To cover travel, administrative, management and research expenses incurred by the team until the project’s successful completion within an estimated five years.

Situation and Summary:

Overall: In addition to ocean pollution, damage from industrial activity and climate crisis stress on marine life, the current proposals for an ocean wide acoustic transmitter network could constitute a threat to marine life requiring urgent and immediate attention. The underwater computer networks currently being designed and standardized for data communication encoded on sound waves may use the scarce underwater acoustic spectrum on which most ocean creatures depend on for their livelihood.

The continuous noise from an all acoustic underwater network may “mask” the ability of whales and dolphins to use their echolocation to navigate, feed and reproduce. There may also be problems with this acoustic network for fish with swim bladders, as well as the orchestra of the coral reef, requiring mitigation of decibel and frequency, or an alternative cabled system.

Proposed underwater acoustic transmitters are expected to be loud enough to rupture a swimmer’s or diver’s eardrums at close range, starting at 30 feet.

The underwater sensor equipment is designed to monitor activities of marine life. Equipment that is designed to monitor marine life should first do no harm. A monitoring system that causes injury, or the eventual extinction of that which it is designed to monitor, will have failed in its purpose.

What We Are Doing About It:

We have been approved to produce a Technical Report (TR) to study the Environmental and Ecological impacts of such networks. Three of our team members currently have seats on the International Standards committees that will set the technical standards for this new underwater network. This committee will provide technical guidance to industry, trade, and future regulators and legislators, who will be positioned to adopt and enforce these standards locally. Our work is to keep the standards safe for the marine life and humans who live in or enjoy our worldwide oceans.

History and Definitions:

For several years, standardization efforts have been underway in the International Standards Organization (ISO) the International Electro-technical Commission (IEC) and the InternationalInternet of Things committees (IoT) to develop communication and internet networks consisting of underwater ocean-wide sensor stations, base stations, that communicate with each other via data-encoded sound waves which enable monitoring of currents, water temperatures, marine life activities, and pollution, as well as for military, and commercial uses.

Our Response:

In 2021, in response to underwater acoustic network standardization, a project was initiated by our team in ISO/IEC to develop a Technical Report (TR) to study the environmental and ecological impacts and risks of acoustic signaling and its effects on marine mammals as well all marine life, human swimmers, and divers. Such a report could result in the development of “animal friendly” acoustic communication, or provide alternatives that are safe. The report could lead to writing specific technical standards that will allow all marine life to endure.

The Purpose of Creating Underwater Internet of Things (UIoT) Technical Standards:

Such standards provide technical guidance to end users (ie. industry, international trade, the military, and local governments) who will adopt these standards as the new local regulations for the network in their bordering ocean areas, and to future regulators, legislators and legislation.

Why a Technical Report is necessary to assess the Underwater Acoustic Networks:

This technical report will serve as a guide to help in writing international technical standards regarding limitations of the input of anthropogenic noises in the aquatic environment. The findings of this technical report could lead the way to more effective regulations at national and international scales, for protecting the marine fauna from these threats.
There are far-reaching implications for society if the ocean’s ecosystem is significantly altered.
The humanitarian effort to prevent harm to current ocean residents and to Cetaceans (whales and dolphins), who use sound to navigate, feed and reproduce.
To protect the safety and longevity for all sea life in the presence of this ocean wide network.
The protection and safety of human swimmers and divers who may experience ruptured eardrums if they swim too close to underwater sensor stations (modems).
Such a report is needed due to the great potential for damage and risk to our ocean ecosystems, and thus also to the health of local and deep-sea fisheries that play a large role in the global food supply.

How QOSI can help the ocean and its human and animal residents and users:

If the underwater network, consisting of sensor stations/modems sitting on the ocean floor are wired/cabled with fiber optics as much as possible, instead of communicating via acoustics (sound), that will certainly enhance the experience of enjoying ocean activities and recreation because humans can swim, snorkel, surf, dive, and go boating without risking having their hearing impaired by the loud noise of the underwater network. A fiber optic network is silent, and if the network cables are placed judiciously, they will not destroy habitats or migration patterns. This will also improve the quality of life for coastal residents who enjoy ocean activities regularly.
Whales, dolphins, monk seals, turtles, coral reef (which has its own symphony used for communication) and the smaller fish that have swim bladders that can rupture from sound vibration may all be damaged by excessive underwater continuous noise. These sea creatures are a huge natural resource, so they need to be supported and protected. Keeping our ocean peacefully and protecting our marine life, residents and ocean visitors and tourists, while enjoying our ocean, is critical.
The ocean also provides a significant source of food, seaweed, and minerals such as salt. Throwing off its eco-balance could become a significant threat to human survival.
By protecting marine mammals with animal friendly international standards that are also safe for human recreational enjoyment of the ocean.

Why we are applying for the grant funds:

To keep our team of four working on all aspects of this project: research, technological, written reports, and international communications until the International Underwater Network Standards are created, defined, and determined to be safe for all aquatic and human life forms. At least two team members will be working full-time.
To conduct the risk assessment and research that must be completed in order to write and submit the Technical Report (TR), which will advise voting members of the International Committees of the recommended safe technical standards for the underwater network.
Our team will work with this project until the safe animal and human friendly technical standards are finalized, approved, and adopted.
Our team of experts are fully qualified to successfully complete this project, but they need to do this work full-time over the next five years and be accepted to take convenorship (requiring provable 3 years of funding) to do this will require full funding.
To cover travel and physical structure requirements
Management, clerical and office supplies and expenses

The International Committees Who Will Work on This Project:

ISO and Joint ISO/IEC committees Joint Working Group (JWG) between: ISO/IEC JTC1/SC41

IoT/WG7 underwater IoT, and ISO TC43/SC3 underwater bio-acoustics

https://www.iec.ch/ords/f?p=103:14:711132877213029::::FSP_ORG_ID:27729

Project Leaders:

Dr. Kathy Matara — Environmental Safety and Health Policy Advocate with 10 years of experience in securing safer technologies for humans and animals.
Dr. Timothy Schoechle – Computer and Communications Engineer and Standards expert with 40 years of experience on the International Standards Committees.
Dr. Patrick Miller – International expert on Marine Biology and the effects of sonar on Cetaceans.

Project Editors:

Lead Project Editor, Dr. Timothy Schoechle and co-editors, Dr. Kathy Matara and Dr. Patrick Miller who will conduct research and produce a Technical Report which will advise the International Committees who will vote in the Standards for this new network.

Our Underwater Marine Animal Acoustics Experts:

• Professor Dr. Patrick Miller, Principal Investigator (PI —Professor of Marine Biology, St. Andrews University, Scotland

• Victorine Lambert, Research Assistant—BS in Marine Biology and Oceanography, Bangor University, Wales.

Bios of Initiators and Editors of the Project:

Dr. Kathy Matara — Environmental Safety and Health Policy Advocate

Dr. Matara received her PhD in Development of Consciousness, and her Bachelors of Science (BSCI) from Maharishi European Research University (MERU) and her MA in Higher Education and in Higher Education Administration Maharishi International University (MIU). She has been working on environmentally and human friendly “Safe Technologies” since 2012. She then spearheaded legal action to provide opportunities for Iowans to opt out of high radiation smart meters and to keep their zero radiation Analog utility meters. Dr. Matara provided testimony, and later worked as Attorney Pro Se before legislative, regulatory, and governing bodies at the local and state level.

Dr. Matara is currently working as a designated US expert in SC41 by the US National Committee of IEC in the Working Group 7 (WG7), the working group who will write the technical standards for the proposed ocean network.

Dr. Timothy Schoechle – Computer and Communications Engineer and Standards Expert

Dr. Schoechle received his PhD in Communication Policy from the University of Colorado, following a career as an entrepreneur and developer of industrial and consumer control and communication systems and technologies. Dr. Schoechle is a designated expert in SC41 by the US National Committee of IEC. His dissertation and published book focused on the international standards system. He served for a decade on the faculty of the College of Engineering.

Our Underwater Marine Animal Acoustics Experts:

Professor Dr. Patrick Miller, Principal Investigator (PI) —Professor of Biology, St. Andrews University, Scotland

Dr. Miller received his PhD in biological Oceanography from the joint program of MIT and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in 2000. His dissertation focused on how killer whales communicate. Subsequently, he studied the natural behavior of marine mammals and the effect of underwater noise on cetaceans. Currently he is Principal Investigator (PI) for a study on the effects of sonar on cetaceans in 35 International Peer Reviewed Research Collaborations. Dr. Miller is a designated expert in SC41 by the UK National Committee of IEC.

Victorine Lambert, Research Assistant—BS in Marine Biology and Oceanography, Bangor University, Wales

Ms. Lambert completed her degree in 2022 and will be pursuing graduate work in Marine Biology, Bio Acoustics and Oceanography. She has served in various internships in the field and has been serving as Researcher in scientific literature for Dr. Miller in this project.

Action Plan:

1. Form Joint Working Group (JWG) combining the expertise of JTC1/SC41 IoT and TC43/SC3 underwater bio-acoustics experts

2. Utilize our newly completed Risk Assessment to write aTechnical Report (TR) and get it adopted by the International Committees

3. Fend off unsafe standards

4. Develop safe International Standard (IS)

5. Guide this Standard through the International Committee approval process to its final adoption

Work obligations, requirements and descriptions in this full-time project:

The Risk Assessment is now complete, which will provide the basis for the Technical Report, which will inform the voting members on the international committees.

We will continue the international diplomatic work to communicate with the international voting body to encourage voting members to recognize the need to protect the ecosystem within the design specifications of the underwater network.

Without proper education and communication, the voting members may vote in favor of the all acoustic ocean network without considering all the affected parties (marine life, human swimmers and divers).

This involves countless meetings: there are 196 countries on these international committees, and roughly 10+ members from each country that need to be met with, until they understand and agree with the need and importance of ensuring safety and protecting the ocean while using it as a network.

As voting members of the international committees, we are asked to attend the international conferences, usually six per year to meet our obligations to stay informed as voting members. Matara, Schoechle and often Miller and Lambert, will attend these conferences.

There is also administrative work to track the results of meetings, schedule follow ups, keep files in order, set up new meetings and individual interviews, keep financial and expenditure records, tax records, spreadsheets describing all activities and expenses, tracking research results, paying bills, and answering phones; therefore, we will need to hire a paid administrator to keep the project organized.

Invitation to Contribute Funding:

Your contribution to this project through grant funding is a way to help make this effort possible and successful, and a way to make your voice heard.

To sustain the availability of our team by paying them to continue to take responsibility for this project (produce the Technical Report, related research, ocean work, related administrative work, necessary travel, and all related expenses) until this project’s completion. We are describing the full funding needed to complete the project, but any portion of this amount is helpful to our continued work.

Below are the preliminary projections:

The estimated total salary amount is $16,000/month, over 60 months, for a total of $960,000.
Travel/lodging/meals to attend international conferences, 6 per year, 5-day conferences, Dr. Schoechle and Dr. Matara will attend:
Air Travel-$4,000 round trip each x 2 people x 6 conferences per year x 5 years = $240,000.
Lodging= $350/night x 5 nights x 6 per year x 5 years x 2 people = $105,000.
Meals= $35 per meal x 3 meals per day x 5 days, x 6 conferences x 5 years x 2 people = $31,500.
Ground transportation (Rental Car) Shared: 5 days = $375 x 6 conferences x 5 years = $11,250.
Incidentals for all conferences for 2 people, parking $25/day, bottled water $12/day + $10 other = $47/day x 5 x 6 x 5 = $7,050
Total Travel expenses = $394,800
Administrative Assistant $4,500/mo. X 12 x 5 = $270,000
Administrative costs: $1200/mo. Total for team $72,000

Total Funding Requested: $1,624,800

Any portion of this amount is welcome and other organizations may also provide matching funding.

For Further Information Contact Kathy Matara:

1-808-652-9462 or 1-808-320-7636

Or email me at : Katika108@gmail.com

Website: Safesmartocean.org

Donations will go to our dedicated 501C3: The Quiet Ocean Standards Initiative

Thank you for your concern about our oceans’ safety and the implementation of Safe

Technologies Worldwide.

Sincerely,

Kathy Matara

Timothy Schoechle

White Paper—Acoustic Ocean

The Acoustic Ocean: Context, Needs, and Challenges
Over 70 % of the earth’s surface is ocean. Most life on earth began in the ocean—
from the smallest to the largest creatures. Whales and other ocean mammals have
roamed the seas for over 100 million years. In contrast to humanity, these creatures
evolved their intelligence and survival strategies in a sensory environment more of
sound than of light (sight)—they learned to “see” using sound. Sound propagates much
further, faster, and in a different manner underwater than it does in air, in some
cases traveling many hundreds of miles. These creatures evolved complex active
echolocation to find prey, as well as sound to navigate, escape predators, mate, and
create elaborate songs for transmission near and far for various social purposes that
we are yet to understand.

Change
Human activity has dramatically changed the underwater acoustic environment,
especially in recent years, with many activities including military, industrial,
construction, oil and gas exploration, shipping, fishing, and many others. Acoustic
noise pollution has become a major problem for sea life in general. This situation
now promises to create a major problem for people as well.
Climate change has added another layer of stress to the marine environment, in part
because the oceans serve as a planetary heat and CO2 storage “battery”, and as a
primary determinant of our planetary weather patterns. Monitoring of the oceans has
gained a new importance.

Human Networks
An emerging and important technology is that of communication and sensor networks for
scientific as well as industrial/commercial purposes. According to a recent market
report published by HTF Market Intelligence Consulting, the annual growth rate of the
underwater wireless communication market is estimated to reach 18.5% between 2016 and
2022. The U.S. is leading the underwater wireless telecommunications market, followed
by Europe. The Middle East and Africa are emerging markets with many opportunities
and are expected to reach $165.5 million by 2022.

A recent standardization project under the auspices of the International Organization
for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC),
the Underwater Internet-of-Things (U-IoT), represents an ambitious plan to create
diverse, standardized data transfer mechanisms connecting devices and users in the
challenging underwater realm. Because radio signals and light attenuate rapidly in
water, wireless acoustic data modems are likely to be the primary modality to
transfer data, typically transmitting in the 10-100 kHz frequency band. Acoustic
wireless might be especially preferred to enable mobile applications where other
media, such as fiber or light, are not adequate.

Risks
However, acoustic signaling poses a potential hazard in that acoustic transmissions
might disturb marine life. This raises the question of how such systems could be
designed to effectively monitor and mitigate their environmental impact. In other
words, the challenge is how to design an animal-friendly acoustic communication
system that can share the limited and widely used ocean acoustic space and does not
harm or harass marine life or human swimmers and divers.

The U-IoT
The U-IoT standardization effort began a few years ago in ISO/IEC Subcommittee SC41
for IoT, driven by communication engineers who well understood wired and radio-based
communication networks, but had little knowledge or awareness of marine animals and
ecosystems. In 2022, the U.S. delegates in SC41 proposed a special project to study

the “Environmental and ecological effects, risks, and considerations of underwater
acoustic signaling” and prepare a technical report to better inform the U-IoT
standardization effort about the risks and constraints involved. They also proposed
the formation of a Joint Working Group (JWG) to include technical experts in marine
biology from ISO Technical Committee 43 (noise), Subcommittee 3 (underwater
bioacoustics) to conduct the study and prepare the technical report.
An Environmental Ecological Technical Report
A team was assembled in 2022 that included experts in environmental safety, marine
biology, underwater applications, and communication networking from several nations.
The JWG was adopted by SC41 in December 2022 and will likely be adopted by TC43/SC3
in May 2023.

Conclusion
Underwater communication technology is becoming increasingly important. However, it
must not do more harm than good. The first goal of the Technical Report will be to
understand the risks, conditions, and possibilities of acoustic signaling through an
interdisciplinary collaboration between communication engineers and marine
scientists. A possible result may be the writing of actual international standards
for underwater acoustic signaling. Although compliance with ISO/IEC standards is
entirely voluntary, they could help regulators and policy makers establish
appropriate rules on a national, regional, or global basis. Such technical standards
can greatly aid regulators who are increasingly asked to make effective and informed
public policy on highly technical topics.