We believe investment in new technological solutions is the most effective way of upscaling marine mammal monitoring and filling the data gaps which currently hamper policy responses in this area. Among the most promising technologies are passive acoustic monitoring and the use of low-altitude satellites, while AI could also play a role. When asked about its commitment to technological solutions to marine mammal monitoring, the Government cited the £1.5m innovation competition with industry aimed at improving observation of biodiversity, under the Marine Natural Capital and Ecosystem Assessment (NCEA). However, the vast majority of the projects awarded funding under the first round of this initiative have little or no focus on marine mammals specifically, meaning this approach is completely inadequate in this context. We recommend that a new initiative should be launched specifically to encourage the development of new technological solutions to marine mammal monitoring, with ring-fenced funding that at least matches the existing £1.5m Marine NCEA innovation competition. (Paragraph 31) UK Policy and Legislative Framework