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Principal Investigator : Dr Giulia De Masi and Co-PI: Julia Motte Baumvol
This interdisciplinary research project addresses the urgent need for scalable, non-intrusive solutions to preserve marine biodiversity in the Arabian Gulf, where coral reefs are increasingly threatened by climate change and human activity. When preservation is no longer viable, restoration—via artificial coral reefs—offers a way to regenerate the biome. However, effective reef protection and restoration demand an intrinsically interdisciplinary approach, combining scientific, technological, and legal expertise. Accordingly, the project is a joint initiative between the Departments of Science and Engineering and of Law, Economics and Management at Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi (SUAD).
Two main technological challenges are targeted: (1) identifying optimal locations for artificial reefs, and (2) autonomously monitoring ecosystem recovery. The proposed solution is a swarm of bio-inspired robotic turtles equipped with AI and environmental sensors. In this project, the AI of these robots will be developed, from computer vision to detect marine life, to collective artificial intelligence to locate suitable restoration sites and monitor biodiversity over time in a wide area.
From a legal standpoint, monitoring coral reefs—often spanning multiple jurisdictions—requires cross-border cooperation but faces barriers related to territorial claims and enforcement disparities. Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), while crucial, vary in legal status and effectiveness. The project will compile and analyze legal documents (laws, treaties, rulings, best practices) at subnational, national, and international levels to build a shared legal database. This foundation will support policy recommendations tailored to the GCC context.
Technologically, the project advances underwater robotics and autonomous ecological monitoring. Environmentally, it delivers a low-impact, scalable tool for conservation. Industrially, it aligns with the needs of marine infrastructure and oil & gas sectors, which increasingly invest in restoration—evident in initiatives like NEOM’s coral reef project in Saudi Arabia.
info@sorbone.apps.plana.ae
