By the decision of Alberto Fernandez's government in 2020, the country does not share the information on the mapping of the fluvial and marine bottoms. What are the consequences.

The blue economy is an economic model that takes advantage of fluvial-maritime resources to generate wealth and well-being, while protecting ecosystems.

If calculated in its entirety as a national economy, it would be the seventh largest in the world. If it were a country, the ocean would be a member of the G7.

For its development and growth, much has to do with the information that emerges from the mapping of river and sea bottoms.

A recent report by Eunomia Research & Consulting (Eunomia) defines the cost-benefit ratio of seabed mapping for the UK economy in various sectors such as shipping, ports, offshore energy and tourism.

The study calculates that the gain in its Exclusive Economic Zone is around US$ 11.8 billion annually, compared to an estimated investment of US$ 136 million each year. This represents a profit of US$ 86 for every dollar spent.

In the United States, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is also clear on this issue. Nearly 40% of the country's population lives in coastal counties, which in turn contribute $9 billion to its economy.

River and seabed mapping has the potential to drive growth and innovation by improving navigational safety, supporting job creation and facilitating economic development.

Accurate information on river and sea bottoms is essential for the development of nautical charts that enable safe passage of ships and consolidate waterborne commerce. These data are essential for sectors such as energy, fisheries, offshore aquaculture, defense and telecommunications because they identify suitable locations for each development.

Beyond its commercial applications, it also contributes to environmental protection and aquatic resource management. These data help establish conservation zones to protect habitats and control erosion and landslide levels on river and sea beds.

Collaborative bathymetry

In this scenario, collaborative bathymetry (CSB), which uses voluntary data from any vessel with a specific technological platform, is becoming increasingly important. A successful case in this area is that of OptiRiver, which is already carrying out field tests in Argentina.

Routinely measured parameters, such as depth under keel and position, can be stored, uploaded and contributed from an Electronic Chart System participating in the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) CSB Initiative. It can also be shared, collated and made available to the community through the IHO Data Center for Digital Bathymetry (DCDB).

To this end, an international initiative was carried out where each country was asked if it wished to make this information available to third parties. In 2020, the Argentine Government was opposed and with this decision, which is still in force today, it is being left out of valuable information for the development and growth of its blue economy.

State agencies in most countries have already realized that they do not have sufficient budget to measure in detail all riverbeds, harbors and seas. They started to rely on information provided by external companies that collect it for private purposes. The firm FarSounder, for example, joined this initiative and became a “trusted node” of NOAA.

However, Argentina, whose state structure for ports and waterways is being reduced in order to reduce the heavy fiscal deficit, does not have this possibility, although companies such as OptiRiver would be willing to provide the information they have been collecting in the country's waterways.

It is to be hoped that the current administration will take this situation into account and will catch up with a worldwide trend that seems irreversible.