Pasaia Ocean Autonomy (POA): Your Gateway to Marine Autonomous Systems in the Bay of Biscay

Problem addressed

Conventional oceanographic surveys rely on crewed vessels: they are costly, limited in space and time, and involve operational risks. Without more frequent, autonomous, and sustainable observations, it is difficult to meet current challenges such as fisheries management, offshore renewable planning, maritime safety, or climate change adaptation.

What we do and how we do it

• We operate a fleet of autonomous marine vehicles:

  • Gliders: underwater platforms capable of multi-week missions, equipped with interchangeable sensors (physics, biogeochemstry, biology). They collect parameters such as temperature, dissolved oxygen, chlorophyll, nitrates and acoustic abundances, transmitting data in near real time.
  • Itsasdrone: a zero-emission, solar-powered surface drone designed with AZTI’s technical input, used for coastal surveys.
  • Ranger 6.0 (USV): a high-capacity vehicle equipped with multiple frequency echosounders and one ADCP, designed for scientific missions and maritime safety operations.

• We develop products and applications based on these systems:
  • Acoustic monitoring of pelagic species (e.g. anchovy, mackerel), validated through fisheries surveys.
  • Studies of physical processes such as upwelling, river plumes, and seasonal dynamics.
  • Biogeochemical campaigns to characterise physical–ecological coupling.

• We provide services to companies, research institutions and public administrations:

  • Access to vehicles and data through a dedicated portal.
  • Tailored monitoring campaigns with sensors adapted to your projects.
  • Real-time and processed data services for operational and environmental decision-making.
  • Custom sensor development in collaboration with international manufacturers.
  • Logistics optimisation through low-cost, high spatio-temporal resolution autonomous campaigns, without dependence on crewed vessels.
  • Technology integration support, including testing of new equipment and development of emerging applications.

• We operate a dedicated technical infrastructure in Pasaia:

  • Own quays, dry laboratory, ballast systems, auxiliary vessels, and direct sea access—creating a unique environment for innovation in autonomous oceanography.

Key benefits

• Exclusive, high-resolution, near real-time data in challenging environments.

• Reduced costs and operational risks compared to crewed-vessel surveys.

• Practical applications across fisheries, aquaculture, offshore energy, port infrastructure, and emergency response.

• Strong collaboration in technological innovation, with direct input to manufacturers and co-development of new sensors.

• Reinforcement of regional synergies as a European reference connecting developers, researchers, operators and users of MAS