Initiated in 2013, the IEEE/OES Acoustics in Underwater Geosciences Symposium (RIO Acoustics) has been connecting scientists, academics, students, industry representatives and other professionals from the Latin America and the Caribbean region (LAC) in an international setting. The symposium fosters the exchange of knowledge, experience and best practices on using acoustics to investigate underwater environments and ecosystems, from inland to deep-ocean floor, covering a broad spectrum of application, from marine geophysics to fisheries. In 2015, over thirty countries of which ten from LAC were present. We are currently pursuing the efforts by involving new LAC countries as well as increasing student and industry participation.
A new objective from 2017 onwards is to establish a network of acoustics researchers rooted in LAC and linked to the RIO Acoustics symposium. Its mission is to raise awareness on the importance of acoustics in ocean science and promote its sustained development in related fields and applications including in waterways. The network will involve LAC institutions, and leverage local funding and industrial partnerships worldwide to sustain mobility expenses of its members. Through the dissemination of sound scientific knowledge and increased participation to the symposium, the network is aimed to inspire young people of the Latin America and the Caribbean region to meet the global challenge of sustainable development of our oceans.