Innovation & Ideas

Local inventors team up with marine biologists to develop smart buoys for cleaner harbours

Local inventors team up with marine biologists to develop smart buoys for cleaner harbours.

By Jemma Rawlins, The Commons View | 21 July 2025, 08:51

In an innovative collaboration between marine biologists and local inventors, a new generation of smart buoys is being deployed in harbours along the South Devon coast. The goal: monitor pollution levels in real-time and improve response to environmental threats.

The project, led by researchers at the University of Exeter and supported by Torbay Innovation Hub, combines open-source sensor technology with cloud-based data analytics. Each buoy is capable of measuring water quality indicators such as pH, turbidity, temperature, and microplastic density.

Local inventor Martin Doyle, who co-designed the hardware, says the buoys were designed to be low-cost and modular. “We wanted something community groups could use, not just government agencies,” he said. “The idea is to democratise marine data.”

Three buoys have already been installed in Brixham Harbour, an area often affected by fishing-related waste and recreational boat traffic. Data from the buoys is streamed hourly to a public dashboard, where volunteers and scientists alike can track trends.

Initial results have revealed spikes in chemical contaminants during weekend traffic peaks — findings that are helping authorities plan clean-up efforts more effectively. The system also sends alerts if readings exceed safe levels for swimmers or marine life.

What sets these buoys apart is their educational use. Local schools have been invited to analyse the data as part of science lessons, turning pupils into junior environmental monitors. “It’s a brilliant tool for hands-on STEM learning,” said teacher Freya Kendall of Paignton Academy.

Environmental NGOs have welcomed the development. Surfers Against Sewage, a national campaign group, says real-time data could play a key role in advocating for cleaner coastlines. “It gives communities evidence they can act on,” said campaigner Jordan Moss.

The modularity of the system means that additional sensors — for oil residues, noise pollution, or even marine biodiversity — can be added as needed. This adaptability has caught the attention of other coastal towns and even overseas collaborators.

A funding application is now under review by Innovate UK to scale the project further. If successful, the team hopes to launch a national network of smart buoys, allowing for data comparison across regions and broader policy insights.

The initiative also aligns with the UK government's blue economy ambitions, aiming to balance economic growth with marine sustainability. As port towns seek cleaner reputations, such technology could become a valuable ally.

For now, the team is focusing on usability and longevity. The buoys are solar-powered and designed to withstand rough coastal conditions. Replacement parts are 3D-printable and shared via open-source platforms.

“It’s not just about the tech — it’s about what communities do with it,” says Doyle. “This is about empowering people to protect the seas they depend on.”

With summer approaching and coastal tourism set to rise, these floating sentinels may prove a quiet but vital force in keeping Britain’s shores clean and accountable.