Phase Zero is the planned foundation for everything that follows—from technical requirements to future autonomous trials. This is where field evidence, partner protocols, and the mission baseline must begin.
Phase Zero starts where the unknowns are greatest: document reef structure, access, operating conditions, and lionfish observations.
Conduct permitted, partner-led selective removals where they add field value.
Build the early dataset that can shape models, maps, requirements, and later operational decisions.
Each proposed activity is meant to reduce uncertainty while establishing safe, measurable foundations for staged autonomous testing.
Together, these first steps are intended to turn assumptions into evidence—and define what should happen next.
Planned surveys will document reef structure, lionfish observations, access routes, depth, visibility, current, and operational constraints.
Validated baselines could become the first layer of future navigation, mission planning, and ecological comparison.
Where permitted and safely organized, skilled divers would capture lionfish selectively while protecting coral and native species.
Local removals can reduce pressure while generating field data for proposed AI-assisted systems.
Local divers, scientists, agencies, and coastal operators would help define safe zones, field protocols, logistics, and the operating context for future systems.
The planned protocol separates observations, confirmed captures, locations, depths, environmental conditions, and source attribution.
The resulting dataset could support future identification, behavior, routing, and mission-planning models after appropriate validation.
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Whether you are a diver, scientist, field partner, engineer, or coastal stakeholder, Phase Zero is where you can help shape a responsible test program.
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