Description
To assist aquaculture operators, this service aims to measure and forecast Extreme Marine Events. Extreme events (e.g., sudden temperature shifts and waves) can lead to adverse working conditions at sea and significant production losses. Timely forecasts of extreme marine events and predictions of the probability of marine heat waves, deoxygenation events, or extreme wave events occurring can help the aquaculture industry make sound management decisions. The protection of juvenile fish, early harvest of adult fish, and the timely protection or removal of equipment and installations – are all supported by forecasts of the ocean temperature, pH, turbidity, and water current speed and direction. The system’s bespoke buoy set-up, coupled with advanced modelling capabilities, offers targeted forecasts of extreme marine events, providing aquaculture operators with an early warning mechanism and actionable insights.
Impact During the Project
Extreme Marine Event Monitoring:
Traditional State: Before, systems integrating observations and forecasts for comprehensive environmental monitoring in aquaculture were almost non-existent. Advancement: The EuroSea solution offers real-time management of aquaculture sites, linking in-situ sensors with telemetry, satellites, and models for real-time alerts. It addresses the lack of predictive abilities in older systems, integrating varied data sources for holistic environmental oversight.
Stakeholder Engagement:
Traditional State: Stakeholders were once sidelined during early product design stages, leading to scientist-driven products that might not meet end-user needs. Advancement: EuroSea ensures a user-friendly experience, merging observed and forecasted data for comprehensive monitoring and better decision-making. It not only enhances commercial sensor marketing potential but also offers high-accuracy predictive models tailored for user comprehension and reliability.
Enhanced Aquaculture Operations:
Traditional State: Aquaculture operations previously had scant real-time environmental data, risking subpar conditions or losses. Advancement: EuroSea’s system supplies continuous key data, aiding operators in refining their management tactics. Mitigation of Financial Losses: Traditional State: Without apt warnings, extreme marine events could devastate aquaculture stocks, incurring massive financial losses. Advancement: EuroSea’s forecasts empower operators with tools to pre-emptively act, lessening the potential financial repercussions of marine events.
Impact Post Project
Improved Preparedness and Response:
Traditional State: Marine event responses were reactionary with limited prediction and preparedness. Advancement: The Marine Extreme Events Product emphasizes proactive strategies for better preparedness and efficient responses.
Sustainability:
Traditional State: Some marine monitoring tools were temporary or infrequently updated.
Advancement: The product prioritizes long-term sustainability, continuously offering data and evolving to stay pertinent.
User Satisfaction and Continuous Service:
Traditional State: Past forecasting systems may not have prioritized user needs. Advancement: By tracking user satisfaction and alert actions, the service ensures alignment with user demands. EuroSea’s intent to extend its system post-project shows a long-term commitment.
Intersectoral Collaboration:
Traditional State: Marine Event management was mostly handled by emergency services. Advancement: EuroSea has fostered collaboration between scientists, industry, environmental managers, marine biotoxin monitors, and the JERICO community.
Scalable Aquaculture Solutions:
Traditional State: Aquaculture monitoring systems weren’t always tailored to local conditions. Advancement: EuroSea’s successful implementation in Ireland and Spain highlights its adaptability, encouraging broader adoption and catering to diverse marine conditions.
Promotion of Sustainable Aquaculture Practices:
Traditional State: Aquaculture has been addressing sustainability concerns and environmental impacts. Advancement: Monitoring parameters like oxygen, heat, and pH, the EuroSea system ensures conditions are optimized for growth and sustainability, aiding the industry’s overarching sustainability objectives.
Advancement over and above State of the Art
This user-centric approach to the development of the marine observing and forecasting solution provides aquaculture industry stakeholders with a comprehensive tool to monitor, forecast, and manage extreme marine events onsite. It empowers them with real-time data, alerts, and predictive capabilities to optimise their aquaculture operations, enhance environmental management, and make informed decisions for sustainable and successful farming. The introduction of this new monitoring system represents a significant leap in aquaculture technology. By amalgamating real-time data collection with predictive modelling, the system shifts the paradigm from reactive to proactive aquaculture management. The innovative buoy design, tailored for the industry’s needs, coupled with the system’s scalability, positions it as a pioneering solution in the field. With the potential to optimize operations, mitigate financial losses, and promote sustainable practices, this system is poised to set new standards in aquaculture management and monitoring.
Links and References
Link to D5.10 – Final report describing the demonstration and the user feedback at European sites: Due at the end of the project.
Link to D5.11 – Scientific model validation report during the demonstration period: Due at the end of the project
