CSIRO has successfully tested a ‘weather service’ for water quality in South Australia’s Spencer Gulf, a key source of seafood, with plans to implement the technology in local seafood farms.
CSIRO’s AquaWatch Australia Mission utilises water sensor and satellite data, computer models, and artificial intelligence (AI) to provide near real-time water quality monitoring and forecasts.
The Spencer Gulf test site is the first in Australia to demonstrate the functionality of the AquaWatch technology, a feat accomplished in collaboration with SmartSat CRC and the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI).
CSIRO senior scientist Dr Nagur Cherukuru said the team’s focus is now on gathering data to advise the area’s thriving aquaculture industry, which could warn them of detrimental marine phenomena like algal blooms before they happen.
“The region’s aquaculture will put seafood on the table for thousands of Aussies these holidays, with the local industry’s production worth over $238 million a year,” Dr Cherukuru stated.
“We’re reaching out to the industry to be early adopters of AquaWatch, allowing them to monitor and forecast water quality as we build the system.”
According to SARDI oceanographer Dr Mark Doubell, the AquaWatch partnership with CSIRO considerably increased water quality monitoring required to support the region’s ecologically sustainable growth of aquaculture.
“The delivery of real-time data and improved satellite observations on water quality provides new information that complements existing operational oceanographic models to inform on the ecologically sustainable use and development of our precious marine systems,” Dr Doubell said.
The Spencer Gulf, according to Kirsten Rough, Research Scientist of the Australian Southern Bluefin Tuna Industry Association, is a wonderful region for aquaculture since it typically has good water quality, which results in healthy fish.
However, she pointed out that current water monitoring measures should be improved.
“In certain conditions, algal blooms can form, which threaten our stock and can cause significant losses for the industry,” Rough said.
She noted that monitoring water quality is currently time-consuming and labour-intensive.
“Real-time monitoring means we can scale up surveillance and adjust feeding cycles. Early warning forecasts would allow for planning decisions like moving pens out of the way of harmful algae,” she added.
The CSIRO is inviting Traditional Custodians and industry partners to assist in co-designing the next phase of Spencer Gulf water quality monitoring and data delivery to decision-makers and Elders.
“We are working hand-in-hand with CSIRO to harness data from satellites so we can better manage this very valuable resource,” SmartSat CRC CEO Professor Andy Koronios said.
“AquaWatch is establishing critical infrastructure through a state-of-the-art data system and national water sensor networks to help our country become more resilient to extreme weather and adverse marine events,” Professor Koronios stated.
Professor Koronios added that the development of advanced technologies and capabilities they are working on will lead to commercial opportunities in aquaculture and fisheries, and a significant advancement in high-tech industries.
