Mark Andrew Kozlowski is a marine technology entrepreneur and ocean conservation advocate based in Nova Scotia, Canada. Raised on the Atlantic coast, Mark developed a close, lifelong relationship with the sea that shaped both his worldview and his career. After studying offshore engineering and environmental science, he founded Blue Horizon Technologies, a company dedicated to creating sustainable, AI-powered solutions for ocean industries. His work focuses on real-time ocean monitoring, offshore wind and tidal energy, sustainable fisheries, and the integration of AI into marine conservation efforts. Mark’s belief is simple but powerful: economic growth and environmental stewardship are not in conflict—they are essential partners for a sustainable future. Through public speaking, education initiatives, and hands-on innovation, he aims to build a world where businesses thrive while oceans recover and flourish.
What first drew you toward combining technology with ocean conservation?
It started with frustration. Growing up in Nova Scotia, the ocean was part of daily life, but when I entered the professional world through offshore engineering, I realized how little real-time, actionable data we had on the ocean’s health. We were relying on outdated reports, spotty measurements, and best guesses for critical decisions. That made no sense to me. At the same time, technology was advancing at an incredible pace—AI, machine learning, remote sensors—but it wasn’t being applied seriously to ocean conservation yet. I saw a huge opportunity. Not just to gather more data, but to transform how we interact with the ocean, how we protect it, and how industries could do better without sacrificing success.
Was it difficult convincing traditional industries that technology and sustainability could go hand in hand?
Absolutely. There’s a lot of inertia in industries like fishing, shipping, and offshore energy. For decades, the focus was strictly on extraction and efficiency—get as much as you can, as fast as you can. Introducing the idea that sustainable practices could improve profitability was seen as risky at first. It required showing, not just telling. We needed real-world examples where smart monitoring reduced costs, where better data prevented overexploitation, and where renewable energy projects like offshore wind actually created more long-term stability than fossil fuel operations. Once we had those case studies and once early adopters started succeeding, the conversations shifted.
How does AI specifically make a difference in marine conservation efforts?
AI allows us to process and understand ocean systems at a scale and speed that was previously impossible. Instead of relying on a handful of human surveys, we can deploy sensors and autonomous vehicles that send back real-time data. AI models can analyze patterns in fish migration, predict harmful algal blooms, monitor coral reef health, and track pollution spread with incredible precision. It’s not just about having more data—it’s about having smarter insights. With AI, we can anticipate problems before they spiral out of control and make proactive, adaptive decisions to protect marine environments while keeping human industries operating responsibly.
You talk a lot about real-time monitoring. Why is that so critical to smart ocean policy?
The ocean doesn’t operate on a schedule. Conditions change daily, sometimes hourly. If your data is three months old, you’re making decisions blind. Real-time monitoring lets governments and industries adapt immediately—whether it’s closing a fishery early to prevent stock collapse or rerouting shipping lanes to avoid whale migration paths. It shifts ocean management from being reactive to proactive. You’re not cleaning up disasters—you’re preventing them. That’s a huge shift in thinking and one of the most exciting changes I see happening today.
What challenges have you faced building Blue Horizon Technologies?
Resource limitations were the biggest challenge in the early days. We were building hardware, developing software, doing field testing, and trying to educate clients all at once. Funding cutting-edge technology that doesn’t promise instant results isn’t easy. There were also technical hurdles—making sure our AI models worked even with patchy underwater communications, refining sensor durability for extreme conditions, and building interfaces simple enough for non-technical users. And of course, changing mindsets. Helping people see the ocean as a partner rather than a commodity took persistence and a lot of patient conversations.
What do you think people misunderstand most about the ocean economy?
People still think protecting the ocean means sacrificing economic growth. It’s the opposite. The ocean is a trillion-dollar economy—and a healthy ocean multiplies that wealth. Sustainable fisheries ensure stable jobs. Clean coastal waters boost tourism. Offshore renewable energy creates new industries. Marine biotechnology is unlocking cures and innovations we are only beginning to understand. Short-term exploitation might give you a few good years. Long-term stewardship gives you centuries of prosperity. That’s the perspective we have to embed into everything, from small community projects to global policy.
What role does community play in advancing ocean conservation?
It plays a bigger role than most people realize. Technology is important, but without community buy-in, even the smartest systems fail. Coastal communities often have the best local knowledge about marine ecosystems. They’ve lived alongside the ocean for generations. Involving them in decision-making, listening to their insights, and making sure they benefit from sustainable practices is critical. If you protect a fishery but destroy the community that depends on it, you haven’t succeeded. Building sustainable oceans means building resilient, thriving communities too.
What innovations in marine technology are you most excited about for the next decade?
I’m excited about autonomous monitoring networks—essentially fleets of underwater drones, surface sensors, and satellite integrations all communicating in real-time. With AI coordinating these systems, we could have a global early warning system for environmental changes, illegal fishing, and climate events. I’m also excited about low-impact offshore energy designs, such as floating wind platforms and tidal energy converters that work with ocean dynamics rather than against them. And finally, marine carbon capture. The deep sea has massive potential to store carbon safely if we manage it wisely.
What is your leadership philosophy?
Lead with clarity, build with patience, and measure success through impact. Clarity means your team must know why their work matters, not just what their tasks are. Patience means understanding that meaningful change takes time, and setbacks are part of the process. And impact means judging success by real-world improvements—better ecosystems, smarter businesses, stronger communities—not just quarterly profits or shiny projects. Leadership isn’t about shouting louder. It’s about building pathways that others want to follow because they believe in where you’re going.
What advice would you give someone starting out in marine innovation or sustainability work?
Get your hands dirty. Fieldwork, testing, real-world applications—they teach you far more than theoretical studies alone. Connect across disciplines. The ocean economy needs engineers, data scientists, community leaders, and storytellers working together. And most importantly, stay stubbornly optimistic. Progress in conservation and technology is slow, and setbacks are guaranteed. But every small victory matters, and collective momentum is powerful. If you stay patient, consistent, and creative, you can absolutely make a difference.
Where do you hope your work will leave the biggest impact?
I hope our work at Blue Horizon Technologies shows that technology can be a genuine force for good when it’s built with care, humility, and a long-term view. I hope the next generation sees the ocean not as a resource to be conquered, but as a partner to be respected and supported. And I hope we’ve helped move the conversation forward—not just about saving the oceans, but about thriving alongside them in smarter, healthier ways.
Final Thoughts
The ocean is our planet’s life support system. It controls our weather, feeds billions, and holds countless untapped possibilities. As a society, we are just beginning to understand its true value. The choices we make today—about technology, conservation, industry, and education—will define whether we create a future where oceans continue to sustain us or one where we lose them to short-term thinking.
At Blue Horizon Technologies, and personally in my own work, I believe the path forward is clear. We have the tools. We have the knowledge. Now it’s about turning vision into action, data into impact, and innovation into stewardship.
The future of the ocean, and the future of humanity, are deeply connected. We owe it to ourselves, and to generations to come, to make sure that connection is one built on respect, resilience, and responsibility.