Using technology to innovate and advance ocean sciences in NZ
The internet of things - hooking into existing systems
In NZ, approximately 300 fishing ‘events’ occur per day, with those associated fishing vessels tending to be concentrated in areas typically devoid of subsurface ocean observations from more traditional sources such as ARGO floats. This ‘gap‘ in traditional observation sources is primarily due to the operational requirements of ARGO floats, such as depth constraints or being unable to reach certain areas due to prevailing oceanic currents. But, what if all those fishing vessels could have sensors measuring ocean properties every time they are at sea and deploy fishing gear below the surface?
Argo profiles in the New Zealand region between 2007 and 2017. Argo floats sample the ocean in regions where the water is at least 1000 m deep.
Observed fishing events between 2007 and 2017. Fishing event data were provided by Trident Systems, Wellington, NZ.
There are about 60 times more fishing events per day than Argo profiles.
That was the idea behind the Moana Project’s Te Tiro Moana (Eyes on the Sea): to contribute towards an operational ocean forecast system and an integrated ocean observation system for NZ. Embracing the ‘internet of things’ concept, the project looks to hook into existing systems to enable the seafood sector to contribute to environmental data collection. Fortunately, with the support of Zebra Tech LTD, things are quickly moving forward when it comes to utilising fishing gear to better understand New Zealand’s oceans.
A new temperature sensor, developed by Zebra Tech LTD as part of the Moana Project, is a lightweight instrument that requires minimum intervention. It measures temperature and pressure and automatically sends the data via bluetooth to the receptor on board, at which point data is forwarded back to land.
The Tiro Moana temperature-pressure sensor.
Once passed through trial tests, the sensor will be installed in a large range of fishing vessels and aquaculture farms.
The temperature-pressure data flow.
Communication with the seafood industry to come on board this initiative is well underway. In turn, the data will also provide more accurate marine forecasts and hindcasts through which the seafood sector can communicate how it is endeavouring to be kaitiaki and support informed decision-making. Simple examples include analysing species behaviour in relation to temperature, plotting more efficient fuel use (as is done for shipping) and providing early warning of marine heatwaves that may affect static aquaculture operations.
Trials have started and one of the first datasets from a crayfish pot has just arrived.
Nationwide Impacts and Benefits - Filling in the Gap
The temperature products will be freely available for anyone to access and use. Those who collect the data will have access to the raw data through a user management controlled access. The products will be added to the integrated New Zealand ocean observing system - NZODN open access portal.
Additionally, temperature measurements below the ocean’s surface will contribute to improving ocean predictions at operational timescales. It will also improve the understanding of ocean dynamics (i.e. marine heatwaves), operational 4D-Var ocean model data assimilation, as well as forecasts and hindcasts, and be useful for model validation and verification.
The ultimate impact will be on the NZ blue economy by contributing to marine environmental knowledge to support sustainability and kaitiakitanga - such as fisheries management decision making.
From observations to easily accessible forecasts.
Who is doing the work?
An introduction to Tiro Moana initiative and its contribution to the NZ integrated ocean observation system was presented by Julie Jakoboski at the Ocean Sciences Meeting 2020 on the 20th February 2020 in San Diego, US. The study abstract can be accessed HERE.
Julie is also the main scientist here at MetOcean working on putting together all data and facilitating the data integration by liaising with other NZ organisations and the seafood sector. There is a vast amount of ocean observation data that is owned by a wide range of organizations throughout NZ, yet there is a need for a single database where this data can be catalogued and accessed. Data holders are encouraged to make their data available via the NZODN platform. Julie has also been working closely with John Radford, at Zebra Tech LTD, to install Tiro Moana sensors on fishing vessels and move forward with sensor trials.
Apart from MetOcean, a range of other NZ organisation are working together towards having an integrated ocean observing system:
Why temperature?
Temperature can tell us a lot about the physics of the ocean: it helps us to identify water masses and ocean currents, quantify air-sea heat exchanges, supports evidence of fish migration and shifts due to climate change and other stressors, helps us predict marine heatwaves, and many other things. Temperature is essential to inform ocean circulation models, which in turn drives the transport of larvae, determines population connectivity and impacts fisheries recruitment and abundance, all of which are being impacted by ocean warming and changes in circulation patterns. Temperature is a major player in ocean dynamics, from near-shore to large scale processes.
* The Moana Project is a multi-organisation initiative in New Zealand anchored in mātauranga Māori and facilitating exchange of oceanographic knowledge between Te Ao Māori and western science. Visit www.moanaproject.org to learn more.