- The Spencer Gulf test site was the first demonstration of AquaWatch technology work in Australia, a milestone achieved in collaboration with SmartSat CRC and the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI).
- SARDI Marine Researcher Dr Mark Dubel said the Aquawatch partnership with CSIRO significantly enhanced the water quality monitoring required for the ecologically sustainable development of aquaculture in the region.
- CSIRO is inviting heritage conservationists and industry partners to help co-design the next phase of expanding water quality monitoring of Spencer Gulf and providing data to decision-makers and elders.
Australia’s national science agency CSIRO has completed an initial trial of a ‘weather service’ for water quality in South Australia’s Spencer Gulf – which provides much of the country’s seafood – with plans to use the technology on local seafood farms.
CSIRO’s AquaWatch Australia Mission integrates data from water sensors and satellites before using computer models and artificial intelligence to provide real-time water quality monitoring and forecasts.
‘Australia’s seafood basket’
The Spencer Gulf test site was the first demonstration of AquaWatch technology work in Australia, a milestone achieved in collaboration with SmartSat CRC and the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI).
CSIRO Senior Scientist Dr. Nagur Serekuru said the team’s focus now turned to collecting data to inform the area’s thriving aquaculture industry, which could alert them to harmful marine events such as algal blooms before they occur.+
“The Spencer Gulf is called the ‘Seafood Basket of Australia’ for good reason,” Dr Serekuru said.
“The region’s aquaculture will put seafood on the table for thousands of Asians this holiday season, with the local industry generating more than $238 million annually.
“We are reaching out to industry to be early adopters of AquaWatch, allowing them to monitor and predict water quality as we develop the system.”
SARDI Marine Researcher Dr Mark Dubel said the Aquawatch partnership with CSIRO significantly enhanced the water quality monitoring required for the ecologically sustainable development of aquaculture in the region.
Kirsten Ruff, a research scientist with the Australian Southern Bluefin Tuna Industry Association, said Spencer Gulf is an ideal area for aquaculture because it generally enjoys good water quality that produces healthy fish.
However, he explained that current water monitoring efforts need improvement.
“In certain situations, algal blooms can increase, which threaten our shares and motive big losses to the industry,” Ms Ruff stated.
“Real-time monitoring means we can increase monitoring and adjust feeding cycles. Early warning forecasts will allow us to plan decisions such as moving pens out of the way of harmful algae.”
CSIRO is inviting heritage conservationists and industry partners to help co-design the next phase of expanding water quality monitoring of Spencer Gulf and providing data to decision-makers and elders.
Professor Andy Koronios, CEO of SmartSat CRC, said his crew used to be running with CSIRO as a belief accomplice on AquaWatch.
CSIRO is inviting heritage conservationists and industry partners to help co-design the next phase of expanding water quality monitoring of Spencer Gulf and providing data to decision-makers and elders.
“We are running hand in hand with the CSIRO to apply data from satellites so we will higher manipulate this valuable useful resource,” he stated.
“AquaWatch establishes critical infrastructure via a complicated records system and country-wide water sensor networks that help our nation grow to be extra resilient to excessive weather and damaging marine activities.
“We are developing technology and competencies for America will energy aquaculture, fisheries, and industrial corporation opportunities in making Australia a high-tech nation.”
