OceanEye
an open-source interactive 3D atlas of ocean life
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What is OceanEye?
OceanEye is the world's first citizen science and micropayment platform for marine biodiversity conservation. It is a mobile phone and tablet application that enables marine tourists—including scuba divers, cruise passengers, and resort clients—to report wildlife sightings and make micro payments that directly benefit surrounding coastal communities. The platform converts animal sighting reports into micro-payments that are transparently transferred to coastal communities, creating economic incentives for conserving marine biodiversity instead of hunting wildlife.
Key features include an offline mode that allows users to record animal sightings and collect data even without internet connection while off-shore or in remote locations like liveaboard expeditions. Users can register in tourist mode while connected to download necessary data, sync their sightings offline, and complete donations when they regain connectivity. The platform supports selecting sites based on the operator visiting off-shore areas and allows donations to local projects active in visited areas or global projects.
OceanEye is designed for impact-minded marine tourism operators and conscious tourists globally. The working mechanism is based on animal sightings-related micro payments made by marine tourists, with 80% of funds going straight to local projects and 20% covering platform costs. The platform collects real-time data on marine life to support scientific research and management decisions, effectively turning biodiversity into a measurable and investable asset while providing sustainable finance for conservation and communities.
The platform is now expanding globally and looking for impactful project sites and tourism partners. One of the first focus areas for off-shore operations is the Banda Archipelago in Eastern Indonesia, popular with divers for seeing diverse marine life including schooling hammerhead sharks. Income generated through OceanEye supports community waste management pr
OceanEye pricing
Pricing model: Freemium
Ocean Eye operates on a micro payment model where marine tourists make small donations for each animal sighting. Payment amounts vary by species rarity: as low as 0.2 cents for frequently sighted animals like turtles, or up to 20 USD for rare animals like whale sharks. There is no indicated free tier or paid subscription plan for users. The platform takes 20% to cover platform costs, while 80% of funds go directly to local conservation projects. Users enter card details when connected to internet to complete donations.
OceanEye pros
- First citizen science and micropayment platform for marine biodiversity globally
- Offline mode works without internet connection off-shore and in remote locations
- 80% of funds go directly to local conservation projects
- Transparent and equitable financial transfers to coastal communities
- Enables marine tourists to protect animals they love during adventures
- Real-time marine life data collection supports scientific research
- Converts biodiversity into measurable and investable asset
- Works with responsible marine tourism operators globally
- Micro payments range from 0.2 cents for common species to 20 USD for rare animals
- Users can donate to local projects or any global project
- Creates economic incentives for hunters to become conservation allies
- Select sites based on the offshore operator you visit with
- Mobile app accessible on phones and tablets
- Automatic data sync when device reconnects to internet
- Helps fight biodiversity loss, climate crisis, and global inequity
OceanEye cons
- Requires initial internet connection to register and download data before going offline
- Donations and data submission only possible when internet connectivity is available
- 20% of funds cover platform costs rather than going to projects
- Limited to marine biodiversity, not terrestrial conservation
- Depends on partnership with tourism operators for site selection
- Micro payment amounts may be too small for significant community impact
- Primarily focused on tourist sightings, not professional researcher data
- Global expansion still ongoing, limited project sites currently available
Frequently asked questions about OceanEye
What is Ocean Eye and what does it do?
Ocean Eye is the world's first citizen science and micropayment platform for marine biodiversity conservation. It is a mobile phone and tablet application that enables marine tourists to report wildlife sightings and make micro payments that directly benefit surrounding coastal communities. The platform converts animal sighting reports into micro-payments that are transparently transferred to coastal communities, creating economic incentives to protect marine animals instead of hunting them.
How does the offline feature work?
The offline feature allows Ocean Eye to be used off-shore and in remote locations without internet connection. Users must first register an account in tourist mode while connected to internet, which downloads all necessary data to their mobile device. Once registered, the app automatically downloads needed data. Users can then record animal sightings anywhere without internet, select sites based on their operator, and complete donations when they reconnect to internet by entering card details and selecting donation amount and project.
Who can use Ocean Eye?
Ocean Eye is used by responsible marine tourists and tourism operators globally. It is designed for marine tourists including scuba divers, cruise passengers, and resort clients who want to contribute to marine biodiversity conservation while enjoying their adventures. The platform is also used by impact-minded marine tourism operators who are conscious about conservation.
How much do micro payments cost for sightings?
Micro payment amounts vary based on species rarity and sighting frequency. Payments can be as low as 0.2 cents for frequently sighted animals like turtles, or as high as 20 USD for rare animals like whale sharks. Users select the amount they want to pay for their sightings and choose which project it contributes to when completing donations.
Where does the money go?
80% of funds go straight to local conservation projects, while 20% covers platform costs. Payments can be directed either to local coastal communities or to effective local projects in the area visited. Users can also donate to any global project when they complete their donation online.
What marine animals can I report sightings for?
The platform supports reporting sightings of various marine wildlife including turtles, hammerhead sharks, whale sharks, and other marine life. The Banda Archipelago in Eastern Indonesia, one of the first focus areas for off-shore operations, is popular for seeing diverse marine life including schooling hammerhead sharks. Users can report sightings of any marine animals they encounter during their trips.
How does Ocean Eye help conservation?
Ocean Eye provides economic incentives for coastal communities to conserve marine biodiversity by creating value for marine animals alive instead of killed for short-term profit. The platform transfers value directly and securely to coastal communities, creating powerful incentives to protect animals instead of monetizing them through fishing and hunting. It also collects real-time data on marine life to support scientific research and management decisions, effectively turning biodiversity into a measurable and investable asset.
What devices does Ocean Eye work on?
Ocean Eye is a mobile phone and tablet application, meaning it works on both smartphones and tablets. Users register their account in tourist mode on their mobile device, which downloads all necessary data for offline use.
Where is Ocean Eye currently operating?
Ocean Eye is expanding globally and looking for impactful project sites and tourism partners. One of the first focus areas for off-shore operations is the Banda Archipelago in Eastern Indonesia, which is popular with divers and expeditions for seeing diverse marine life. The platform is used by responsible marine tourism operators globally, though specific current project locations beyond the Banda Archipelago are not detailed.
How do I start using Ocean Eye for offline sightings?
To start using Ocean Eye offline: 1) Register your account in tourist mode while connected to internet, which downloads all necessary data to your device. 2) Your mobile app will automatically download the data you need after registration—ensure this is completed before heading offline. 3) With account set up and data synced, access the platform and record animal sightings anywhere without internet connection. 4) Select sites based on the operator you're visiting with. 5) When you reconnect to internet, select donation amount, choose project, and enter card details to submit sightings data and complete donations.