Open Ocean Observation
Offshore Waters’ Connection to Coastal Change
The waters surrounding the U.S. Virgin Islands don’t just frame our coastlines—they shape the conditions that coral reefs, mangroves, and marine life rely on. Open-ocean temperatures, currents, and chemistry can all influence events like coral bleaching, fish migrations, or the spread of disease. VICAR’s open-ocean monitoring work focuses on understanding these offshore forces and how they connect to changes we see in coastal ecosystems. By combining robotics, data science, and acoustic monitoring, the project is giving researchers new tools to study the sea beyond the shore.
The Ocean Glider Lab
At the heart of this research are autonomous ocean gliders—streamlined, torpedo-like vehicles that travel through the water column for weeks at a time. Operated by UVI’s Ocean Glider Lab, these robots gather data on temperature, salinity, and other key ocean conditions across all three islands. Because they run continuously, gliders provide a steady stream of information that helps explain shifts in reef and mangrove health. For example, a spike in water temperature offshore may offer clues to bleaching seen closer to shore.
Tracking Marine Animals
Another major focus is listening for marine life. VICAR gliders are equipped with underwater microphones that capture the ambient sounds of the ocean, including the vocalizations of whales and dolphins. Researchers use AI to identify species based on their unique acoustic signatures, offering a powerful, non-invasive way to track marine mammals across time and space. This work is especially important in the Eastern Caribbean, where up to 27 species are known but data remain scarce. By mapping when and where marine mammals are active, the team is supporting conservation, maritime planning, and species protection.
Integrated data
Together, these efforts feed into VICARIUS—the project’s integrated data and analysis platform. Ocean glider findings are analyzed alongside reef and mangrove data to give a fuller view of marine ecosystem change. With over 180 days of glider missions and 90 days of moored recordings completed as of early 2026, VICAR is helping the USVI build a strong foundation for long-term ocean monitoring. By connecting offshore patterns to coastal impacts, this work ensures that future conservation and management decisions are informed by the broader ocean system.