Ocean Hackathon® 2021: 144 challenges selected in 16 participating cities

In Africa

Cape Town (South Africa)

First city on the African continent to organise Ocean Hackathon®.  3 challenges have been selected around the preservation of the African coastline and the participation of the general public.

In central America

Fort-de-France (Martinique, France)

At the heart of Martinique's major seaport, the 10 challenges selected propose new ideas to support a fast-growing blue economy and greater resilience, strong values on this resourceful island: navigation, maritime space planning, preservation of natural ecosystems, and the development of sustainable tourism for people with reduced mobility.

Mexico city (Mexico)

It was the first international city to embark on the Ocean Hackathon® adventure in 2019. Two successes that motivated the local team to repeat their presence this year. With 8 challenges, the bearers hope to find solutions to environmental issues such as marine pollution, ocean acidification, natural hazards, or more technical aspects, such as wave energy.

In North America

Rimouski (Québec, Canada)

Rimouski, the maritime capital of Quebec, is banking on the richness of the St. Lawrence River, one of the longest in the world. Scientific and maritime knowledge will be used to respond to the six challenges selected, dealing with plastic pollution, the impact of human activities on seabirds and the automatic recognition of coastal and marine species.

San Francisco (United States)

A first participation in a world-renowned city. Five challenges have been selected, covering a wide range of topics: marine noise pollution, oceanographic data processing, rising sea levels and flooding, and sustainable fishing.

In South America

Santiago (Chili)

7 challenges have been selected for initial participation, including some on a microscopic scale (digital microbiology laboratory, marine genomics, plankton identification) and on more general aspects (detection of plastic pollution, noise pollution, salmon farming or the impact of global warming on albatrosses).

In Europe

Boulogne-sur-Mer (France)

The city is participating for the second time. Among the 10 challenges selected, a good number revolves around fishing activities, one of the major sectors of Boulogne-sur-mer's economy. Other challenges focus on the environment and pollution, the discovery of maritime heritage or the richness of coastal areas.

Brest (France)

Home of Ocean Hackathon® since 2016, the city of Brest has this year 21 challenges which cover a wide range of subjects on extended geographical areas going up to the poles: pedagogy, marine pollution, coastal risks, sustainable fishing, marine sciences around plankton in particular, regulations (maritime patents), navigation and its safety, technologies like the use of marine drones.

Cadiz (Spain)

The Spanish city is participating in Ocean Hackathon® for the second time. Aquaculture is one of the key sectors for the local actors involved in the event. All the 6 challenges proposed deal with topics related to this sector, notably on the optimisation of seaweed and fish farming, new consumption habits, but also more broadly on sustainable tourism and marine birds. 

Cardiff (United Kingdom)

First participation for the Welsh city with 3 challenges related to marine renewable energy.

Champs-sur-Marne (France)

For its second participation, 8 challenges with innovative ideas on various themes were accepted: navigation safety, tidal energy, oil pollution, coastal bathymetry, marine fauna and the visitor experience in aquariums.

La Rochelle (France)

For its 3^rd participation, La Rochelle revisits the sea through 9 challenges around several themes: risk management and safety at sea, sustainable aquaculture, water recycling and desalination, and new ways to fight pollution.

Sète (France)

For its second year of participation, 15 challenges are proposed. Among them, the Thau lagoon is of great interest (exploitation, study of water and resources). Other challenges focus on more global issues such as aquaculture, shellfish farming, recreational fishing and solutions against plastic pollution. Still others are looking at ways to mobilise the general public to identify marine species and enhance biodiversity with a view to developing sustainable tourism.

Split (Croatia)

For its second consecutive edition, 8 challenges are on the agenda in Split, with several very popular themes such as aquaculture, shellfish farming, recreational fishing, but also marine pollution and the ecology of marine species. Maritime safety is also one of the topics covered.

Toulon (France)

For its third consecutive year of participation, the southern French city has chosen to accept 11 challenges this year. Themes include marine litter, pollution of coastal areas, safety and maritime transport, reducing the impact of tourist activities such as cruises and yachting, and ways to enhance and raise awareness of cultural and natural heritage.

In Oceania

Nouméa (Nouvelle Calédonie, France)

An island in the South Pacific with a wealth of marine life and exceptional biodiversity, Nouméa can count on the Ocean Hackathon® challenges to help protect its very large maritime area. Sustainable development is a priority for the 10 challenges selected around fishing activities, navigation, tourism and ecosystem health. Its very dense and often threatened marine fauna is the subject of several challenges which choose to focus on the study of the shark, a specificity of New Caledonian waters.

Ocean Hackathon® will be held from 5 to 7 November inclusive in the 16 cities in parallel.

Would you like to participate? You can register in the city of your choice from mid-September.