Ocean Science Meets Galaxy Technology: UNESCO and Samsung team up for coral reefs

In a promising demonstration of how technological innovation can support the goals of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, Samsung Electronics has launched a new initiative that brings its Galaxy mobile technology into the realm of coral reef conservation.

In partnership with the nonprofit SeaTrees and the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California San Diego, the project equips local communities and researchers in Fiji, Indonesia, and the United States with tools to better understand and protect marine ecosystems, in line with the mandate of UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC).

At the center of this collaboration is the new “Ocean Mode” feature for the Galaxy S24 Ultra smartphone — a function tailored specifically for underwater imaging. The technology automatically corrects motion blur and color distortion, two persistent challenges in capturing underwater environments with clarity. The resulting imagery supports the development of detailed 3D models of coral reefs, allowing for more accurate long-term monitoring of reef health and degradation.

These digital models enable both scientific research and public education, helping to visualize changes in marine ecosystems over time and facilitating local participation in marine stewardship. In doing so, Samsung’s project contributes to a broader culture of Ocean Literacy — empowering individuals and communities to translate knowledge into action.

The IOC has long advocated for ocean science that is open, inclusive, and solutions-oriented. This initiative exemplifies those principles. By integrating mobile technology into community-led restoration work, the project brings advanced ocean science tools to non-specialist audiences, enabling local actors to take a leading role in safeguarding the ocean.

The partnership with SeaTrees — an initiative of Sustainable Surf — ensures that community engagement and traditional ecological knowledge are woven into the fabric of the initiative. It is through such inclusive practices that we build long-lasting capacities to educate future generations and reinforce shared responsibility for marine ecosystems.

Beyond this latest step, Samsung has also committed to reducing its environmental footprint by incorporating ocean-bound plastics into its Galaxy devices — another example of how the private sector can help address the dual crises of marine pollution and biodiversity loss. These efforts reinforce the company’s growing alignment with the sustainability principles promoted by the Ocean Decade.

In the spirit of the Decade, this project embodies the interconnectedness of action: to understand the ocean through scientific observation, to educate through accessible tools and shared knowledge, and to protect through community-based conservation efforts.

As we move closer to the 2025 United Nations Ocean Conference, the IOC welcomes collaborations that help shape a more ocean-literate society, where innovation and inclusion go hand-in-hand. When businesses, scientists, and citizens work together, we move closer to a future where ocean knowledge is not just generated but lived, shared, and defended — for the benefit of the ocean and of humanity.