A Rallying Force for the Oceans

Interview with Mark Dalio

By Sarah Flavell

After just one hour with Mark Dalio, Founder and Co-CEO of OceanX – an hour I dare to say will impact my awareness of ocean admiration and preservation for many years to come – one thing became very clear. Rallying for the oceans is by no means a solo mission.

Mark Dalio

Former filmmaker Mark Dalio is the son of philanthropist Ray Dalio. Together they built the world’s most advanced marine research vessel OceanXplorer – a vessel refitted by Damen Shipyards Group. As Co-CEO of OceanX, Mark has pioneered multiple science-based educational, filmmaking and policy-influencing programmes globally with an aim to stimulate and drive ocean conservation change positively.

“Science is the important factor in understanding our world and our oceans and how we should take care of them. But science is nothing if we can’t get the public to feel love for the oceans and want to take action. We need every human to fall in love with the oceans and be a steward for ocean conservation.”

The Final Frontier

As a former filmmaker at National Geographic, Mark has no doubts of the importance of ‘seeing is believing’ when it comes to bringing the innovative and cutting-edge ocean research carried out by the global nonprofit OceanX on board the world’s most advanced marine research vessel, OceanXplorer. Mark and his team are at the forefront of research-led scientific and educative programmes shaping the future of economies. Mark believes that visual content is the key to inspiring belief in others and triggering actionable engagement.

“Ocean science is the final frontier. If we can bring the brightest minds and the best media to make sure it gets the attention it needs, imagine the change we could initiate and the legacy we could create.”

The Starship Enterprise

Taking all learnings from their previous research vessel Alucia, Mark and his OceanX team were able to make their latest vessel OceanXplorer the complete package for both today’s and tomorrow’s world.

“OceanXplorer really fulfils a dream. It has the bones of a research and scientific platform with advanced Sub (submarine) and ROV (remote operated vehicle) facilities, wet and dry labs as well as scuba and ship crew but it also has the look and feel of a Hollywood studio with extensive media facilities and studio grade lighting. We literally have the ‘Starship Enterprise’ of the oceans.”

“OceanXplorer is designed to be modular depending on the science and media objectives. We simply build out based on the mission. When not in port we can have up to 72 people on board at any one time. We run the boat 24 hours a day so if we need more Sub Ops, we might have a day and a night crew to ensure continuation. For the recent series for the National Geographic Channel, we had our largest media crew ever.”

Shaping Futures

Mark looks to align with partners who are invested in ocean conservation, and who recognise the value of connecting environmental protection with long-term economic resilience.

“We have a plan set for at least 5 years in Southeast Asia, with the options to extend beyond. It’s an ambitious and conservation-focused programme focused on two core pillars: Fisheries & Biodiversity Assessments and Carbon Studies. Southeast Asia has some of the most biodiverse waters in the world yet some of the countries in the region are feeling the impact of climate change the most. They rely on how they interact with the oceans so there is no better place to start.”

“We literally have the ‘Starship Enterprise’ of the oceans.”

“They rely on their fisheries to feed their own country – they get a high percentage of their protein from their own waters plus their exports are also tremendous. If their fisheries are in decline, it has a significant impact on financials and vice versa. We gather data using full genome sequencing to provide the factual data and tools their governments need to pass laws to conserve and protect.”

“Hopefully we can supply data that would allow them to apply for carbon credits. But a good science comms plan is needed. Not just a research report – we need to bring it to life in a more visually and educationally impactful way. That’s the only way to induce and encourage change.”

Media Minded

OceanX’s extensive bank of scientific data and impressive media creates the opportunity to educate the public, and more specifically the next generation, to be excited and rally behind an awareness and love of our oceans. One of Mark’s latest initiatives, the OceanX Education sister programme, is a non-profit that hopes to build the workforce of tomorrow through educational programmes and media.

“I realised that with our schedule, all transits were wasted time research-wise. It’s why I started the Young Explorers Programme. We could bring on different students and the crew and staff could act as faculty, training them on everything from ocean engineering to storytelling to genomics.”

Inspired Ambition

“No one group should try and do it alone. We need the right orchestration of collaborators. Ultimately, I hope that our work will catalyse other countries to see we are here to help. To bring together thought leaders and raise capacity for the whole universe. With a common goal of the oceans.”

Malaysian students explore submersible technology during an onboard OceanX Education tour. The organisation is committed to building the ocean workforce of tomorrow by giving future storytellers, engineers, and scientists immersive learning opportunities.

The onboard wet lab allows researchers to analyse specimens in a simulated environment, and three onboard science labs offer at-sea analysis to better understand everything from fisheries health and regional marine ecosystems to species genome sequencing.