10169540From Seaweed to Shellfish: Advancing Smart Monitoring in AquacultureClosedCollaborative R&DInnovate UKThe Great South West (GSW) is leading marine and maritime innovation in the UK. Sustainable aquaculture is one of the key pillars of the blue economy, contributing over £1.4 billion in GVA and creating thousands of coastal jobs across Cornwall, Devon, and Dorset. With the global aquaculture market projected to reach £200 billion by 2030, and rising pressure on seafood supply chains, the region is investing in technologies that are not just economically valuable---but ecologically vital. **Samudra**, an emerging ocean-tech startup in the UK, meets this vision by exploring how digital ocean monitoring can unlock more efficient, sustainable, and resilient aquaculture. Having already transformed seaweed farming using robotics and artificial intelligence, Samudra's modular, affordable technologies are designed to reduce labour, improve yields, and bring data-driven precision to ocean-based food systems. Now, in collaboration with **Gary Rawle**---owner of _West Country Mussels of Fowey_ in Cornwall---Samudra is launching a feasibility study to test how its existing monitoring system (used in seaweed farms to monitor temperature, salinity, turbidity, nutrient levels, etc.) could be repurposed for mussel farming. While mussel aquaculture has supported local jobs and food security in Cornwall for over a decade, it still relies on manual, reactive methods to monitor environmental conditions. This project aims to evaluate how Samudra's ocean monitoring system can deliver real-time, in situ data to improve mussel health, optimise yields, and reduce operational risks and costs. With over **200 licensed shellfish farms across the UK**, many concentrated in the GSW, the scalable application of this technology presents a clear market opportunity. The collaboration brings together Samudra's marine technology expertise with Gary's deep-rooted farming knowledge. His 50-hectare mussel farm, supplying over **1.5 million portions of mussels annually**, provides a strong testbed for practical deployment and stakeholder feedback---ensuring that the innovation is grounded in real-world value. This work directly supports the goals of **Ocean Futures** and **Maritime UK South West**, which promote innovation-led growth, sustainable seafood systems, and digital ocean technologies. It also aligns with national strategies like **Maritime 2050** and climate resilience goals, contributing to regenerative ocean farming and biodiversity data systems. This project could catalyse digital transformation across shellfish aquaculture---strengthening the UK's position in clean maritime innovation, supporting rural coastal livelihoods, and enabling more climate-smart, sustainable food production for the future.