Science publication highlights Moana Project temperature sensor programme
Last week, a scientific paper was published about the use of fishing vessels for ocean observation. The paper featured the Moana Project’s mangōpare sensor programme, where commercial fishers crowd-source ocean temperature data around Aotearoa’s coastlines.
Internationally and in Aotearoa New Zealand, scientists recognise that ocean observations (data) of e.g. temperature, is essential for sustainable ocean management. The paper, entitled "Towards a global Fishing Vessel Ocean Observing Network (FVON): state of the art and future directions", outlines significant advancements in ocean observations and highlights how improving these observations is crucial for sustainable fishing, predicting extreme weather events, and meeting the needs of a growing population.
The research emphasises that although considerable progress has been made in monitoring the world's oceans, critical data gaps in the world’s coastal oceans lead to suboptimal ocean management and policy decisions. To address this, the paper proposes an innovative solution: partnering with the global fishing industry to create a Fishing Vessel Ocean Observing Network (FVON).
The fishing industry is active in exactly the area where there are very few science observations – our coastal and shelf seas which is home to our blue economy (fishing, aquaculture, tourism, and other ocean-based activities and industries).
Through the Moana Project, in addition to being used by a range of fishing vessels in Aotearoa New Zealand, the Mangōpare temperature sensor has been showcased around the globe in international partnerships with the fishing industry.
Lead of the Moana Project's Mangōpare sensor programme in Aotearoa, Dr. Julie Jakoboski, said of the research, “Fishers operate daily in our coastal seas, the exact area where there is a global ocean observation data shortage. By collecting vast amounts of subsurface ocean information in data-sparse regions, fishing vessels can complement existing ocean observing networks. This partnership approach can significantly and cost-effectively enhance our understanding of the oceans and improve predictions and forecasts, while providing an opportunity to work closely with commercial fishers and our broader ocean community.”
Internationally, FVON is helping to address challenges such as geographic and cultural differences in fleets, fishing methods and practices, and data processing and management. Aotearoa is a leading example of a successful programme on a national scale and FVON will facilitate sharing best practices to coordinate a growing network of fishing-vessel-based ocean observing programmes.
The programme and the Moana Project stress that ensuring the long-term engagement of fishers is crucial to the success of the Fishing Vessel Ocean Observing Network.
Moana Project Science Lead Dr. Joao de Souza notes the importance of the recent publication. “This research paper marks a significant milestone in advancing fishing vessel-based ocean observation on a global scale. The insights and recommendations presented in the paper are expected to pave the way for further collaboration, innovation, and progress in our understanding and management of the world's oceans.”
The Mangōpare temperature sensor