DeciDe for near real-time use of ocean colour data in management of harmful algae blooms. Final Report

The aquaculture industry face many challenges in order to maintain profitable activities. Among the challenges are the treats from potentially natural harmful algae blooms (HAB) in the waters surrounding the aquaculture sites. In order to implement efficient mitigation actions an early warning of the possible HAB events are essential. The main objective of this ESA study is to identify, demonstrate and validate the benefit of using satellite Earth observation information in support of the existing decision making processes for disaster management operations.

This was exemplified through the interaction with the existing management system and activities established for monitoring of harmful algae bloom in Norwegian waters in support of the aquaculture industry. The project specifically addressed the development and implementation of a pre-operational demonstration towards a sustainable service for toxic/harmful algae bloom monitoring and management decision support. Within the Decide-HAB project a system for making satellite EO data available for near real-time use in monitoring of HAB events in the southern Norwegian waters has been designed, implemented and demonstrated. The service has
optimised for near real-time provision of information on algae bloom events, and is based on satellite data processing and analysis ocean colour data from SeaWiFS and sea surface temperature (SST) data from the AVHRR sensors. The project has covered the design of the technical processing, availability and interpretations of satellite EO data.

Further the interaction and exchange of information with the existing HAB management structure under the authority of the Directorate of Fisheries of Norway, and under the supervision of the Institute of Marine Research has been suggested and implemented. During spring 2000 the system was evaluated and improved. The capability of the system was demonstrated, during the early detection of a HAB of Chattonella in the west Jutland waters off Denmark. This bloom covered large areas and partly, due to the availability of satellite EO data, only limited dedicated field investigations were initiated to monitor the development and decay of this bloom event.
Following the definition, design and implementation phases of the project the service capabilities were fully demonstrated, during the spring algae bloom season in 2001. During this demonstration period the information from the project was used daily in the management and planning of the actions to be implemented. In March 2001 also a HAB of Chattonella took place in the coastal waters of southern Norway. The bloom caused a major treat to the aquaculture industry, which implied that dedicated monitoring, guidance and decision actions were initiated by the Directorate of Fisheries.