Voices For The Deep
Dearest Friends of the Ocean
I am writing to you today with a heart full of gratitude and some truly landmark news.
After years of dedicated effort, the first Committee Draft (CD) of our Technical Report (TR) has officially cleared its first level of publishing. It has now been released to member countries worldwide for international comment and review. This is a massive milestone—it means our vision for a quieter, safer ocean is finally being debated and refined on the global stage.
Below is a link to the TR for you, our most trusted supporters. I ask for your sensitivity in keeping this private, as it is not for general distribution until the final version is officially published. I would truly value your perspective—please feel free to reach out to me directly at kathy@safesmartocean.org with your thoughts.
Voices for the Deep: Whale Tales 2026
More "fun" news: I recently had the joy of representing our initiative at the Whale Tales conference on Maui, alongside three incredible local ocean advocates, Debra Balchowiak, Maneh Tibi, and Tara Coyote. We spent our time educating world-renowned ocean protectors and ocean film-makers about the looming threat of an all-acoustic internet network.
Kathy Matara with Sylvia Earle on her boat
This technology could flood our sanctuary waters with 160 to 250 decibels of noise, 24/7—creating a "wall of sound" that would effectively deafen whales and dolphins, and harm the eardrums of Human swimmers and divers. Here is what it sounds like: (1min. 38 seconds) https://youtu.be/YmVB3mOTUSI
A personal highlight was speaking with Dr. Sylvia Earle. As a pioneer who has seen the depths of our ocean like few others, she expressed her support for our mission to develop animal-friendly underwater communications. She also left me with a brilliant piece of advice: “Ensure every paper and speech is written in language a 3rd grader can understand.” I’ve already shared this "lay language" wisdom with our scientists to ensure our message remains accessible to everyone who loves the sea.
Our Path Forward: A Call for Sustained Support
We have reached a critical juncture. Moving from a technical draft to designing a safe, Bio-Friendly underwater internet global standard requires more than just passion—it requires a consistent professional team.
To navigate this next phase, we are seeking ongoing, monthly funding. Contribute Now >> These contributions will allow us to retain the expert network designers and dedicated staff necessary to keep this project moving through the complex international committee process.
Will you join us as a monthly guardian of the ocean?
Please visit safesmartocean.org to set up a recurring donation or a one-time gift. Your generosity ensures that we can continue to stand as a voice for all of those Marine creatures who cannot speak for themselves.
Additionally, we are actively looking for a commission-only fundraiser to join our team. If you know someone with a gift for touching peoples hearts, and a passion for keeping the sanctity of our vast oceans, please send them our way.
Thank you for being part of this journey!
Together, we are ensuring that future generations inherit an ocean that is not only beautiful but also peacefully intact.
With Deep Aloha,
Kathy Matara -Founder and CEO
The Quiet Ocean Standards Initiative
