More than 200 miles off the coast of Central America, in the heart of the Pacific Ocean, a network of eight luminous buoys is transforming how we explore and understand the sea. The Argo-Dome Project combines science, cutting-edge technology, and international cooperation to study the Thermal Dome — a unique oceanographic phenomenon known a persistent offshore upwelling system driving a biodiversity hotspot.
These smart buoys, equipped with underwater robots, record oceanographic parameters and ambient sound in real time. Together, they create an advanced observation system, offering scientists a precise three-dimensional view of this ecologically and economically vital region. This innovative monitoring will help support future governance and dynamic management of the Thermal Dome, located largely in international waters but essential to the surrounding Central American countries.
The installation of these buoys is at the heart of a new documentary now available in Spanish and English. The film follows the journey of scientists as they deploy this floating observatory, illustrating how technology can strengthen ocean stewardship and contribute to a more sustainable future for the ocean.
The Argo-Dome Project is a collaborative effort led by the MarViva Foundation, Overbrook Foundation, National University of Costa Rica, Centre national de la recherche scientifique (through the Oceanographic Laboratory of Villefranche-sur-Mer), the Pelagos NGO, Sorbonne University, the SARGADOM Project, and the Blue Action Fund.
Watch the full documentary and dive beneath the surface of this marine oasis.
