DHI is among the four ocean innovators of the third cohort of the UNDP Ocean Innovation Challenge (OIC). They illustrate the vital roles of marine spatial planning (MSP), marine protected areas (MPAs), and new environmentally and socially sustainable economic activities for fostering a healthy and resilient ocean. 

After just two years of support from UNDP OIC, the MCSAV platform has achieved significant results in mapping and monitoring key marine habitats. It has successfully mapped 12 islands and their surrounding areas in Semporna, Sabah, Malaysia, utilizing satellite imagery and ground truth data. The platform has undergone successful pilot testing, with error assessments validated against field-collected data. MCSAV is currently the only platform able to cover a wide range of biotopes and habitats in tropical environments, including marine vegetation, corals, rubble, and mangrove forests. It employs a "Human in the Loop" approach, which integrates local knowledge into the mapping process.