The ocean is a vital part of our work at Tetra Tech, from our pioneering work on wave models to our innovations in data-driven solutions for marine operations and industry-leading nature-based solutions for coastal communities and ecosystems.
On World Oceans Day, we talked with Kelly Knee, Operations Manager – Ocean Science, and Erin Hague, U.S. National Coastal Practice Lead, about how Tetra Tech supports our clients and communities to sustain our ocean resources.
How is Tetra Tech supporting the responsible use and resilience of our ocean resources?
Kelly Knee, Operations Manager – Ocean Science
Harnessing a sea of data: Optimizing project operations in a complex marine environment
Developing and operating projects responsibly in the vast and rapidly changing marine environment is essential to sustaining our ocean resources so they are available for future generations. Tetra Tech uses advanced, data-driven solutions across the project lifecycle to streamline energy and infrastructure project operations, minimize environmental impacts, and support emergency response efforts.
Our OceansMap™ environmental data portal combines diverse meteorological and oceanographic and ecological datasets with human activity layers, to provide real-time insights and informed decision-making across the project lifecycle. With the addition of an AI Assistant, users can now query and analyze complex datasets more efficiently—enhancing planning, situational awareness, and rapid response.
To further enable responsible project development, our FusionMap® tool streamlines transmission corridor assessments by combining geospatial data with feature detection and asset extraction. Our protected species team uses Neptune AI to rapidly detect and classify marine mammals, improving operational planning, reducing downtime, and safeguarding marine life.
By employing AI to optimize environmental impact assessments, streamline permitting, and enhance energy management and operational efficiency, Tetra Tech brings safer, high-performing solutions to market faster—both on land and at sea.
Erin Hague, U.S. National Coastal Practice Lead
Engineering where the ocean meets the shore: Protecting coastal communities and ecosystems
Our coastal communities are bearing the brunt of the damaging effects of coastal flooding, saltwater intrusion, storm sewer backpressure, wave overtopping, and storm surge. At Tetra Tech, we are developing solutions that address these threats while providing ecosystem co-benefits, such as improving water quality and ecosystems over time, creating land-water connections for better waterfront commerce and recreation, and enhancing ocean views.
For decades, we have been working with our clients who need to protect their assets and communities to implement nature-based solutions for shoreline protection, including our pioneering living shoreline designs. These designs mimic natural characteristics or performance of natural features for coastal risk reduction, habitat and ecosystem complexity, and carbon sequestration.
Living shorelines use natural materials with engineered or artificial components, such as textured concrete that allows marine life to colonize. They can provide a natural alternative to or can work in tandem with hard shoreline stabilization methods and offer numerous benefits including nutrient pollution remediation, habitat and food sources for fish habitat and wildlife, and help protect properties from damaging waves. These approaches create conditions suitable for biological function, while concurrently supporting natural physical processes.
Our living shorelines provide sustainable and effective solutions to mitigate some of climate impacts while promoting coastal resilience and biodiversity.
