The SMART Subsea Cables initiative seeks to revolutionize deep ocean observing by equipping transoceanic telecommunications cables with sensors to provide essential information of the state of the ocean. The sensors will piggyback on the power and communications present in the cables and will collect data on three critical environmental variables of the deep ocean:

• Temperature: SMART will characterize the changing climate with improved estimates of ocean heat content and sea level rise as relates to water’s thermal expansion;

• Ocean bottom pressure: SMART will measure ocean circulation insofar as water flows from areas of high to low pressure, track sea level rise related to melting land ice, and improve tsunami early warning via direct real-time measurement of sea surface elevation;

• Seismic acceleration: SMART will monitor seabed seismic activity to improve early warning for earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanoes, and yield superior risk assessments for vulnerable coastal areas.

All will benefit from the cable infrastructure: sustained, real time, high reliability, long life (25 years), communication and power.

The ITU/WMO/UNESCO Joint Task Force leading the development of SMART Cables is pleased to announce the appointment of our new Vice Chairman Mike Constable, who has been involved in the submarine cable sector for over 25 years in senior leadership roles on both the supply and investment sides; most recently as CEO of Huawei Marine Networks (now HMN Technologies).

Mike’s experience in regulatory, strategic and commercial aspects of developing and deploying submarine cable infrastructure gives the JTF a unique industry perspective to further facilitate the success of the SMART cable initiative.

Welcome Mike!

And to Nigel Bayliff, thank you for your 7 years of service as the former JTF Vice Chairman and being part of this effort from the very beginning!

In the face of a rapidly changing climate, a better understanding of the world’s oceans is of paramount importance to improve resilience against elevated ocean temperatures, rising sea levels, ocean acidification, and losses of biodiversity in ecosystems around the world.