ShellEye-DEMO: Satellite monitoring for shellfish and finfish aquaculture: Domain expanded; Enhanced resolution; Marine insurance; Other species

ShellEye-DEMO aims to translate novel satellite-informed techniques for early warning of harmful algae blooms (HABs) and microbiological risks into a unique and viable service to support the sustainability of UK aquaculture. This exploits existing research to identify certain HABs using satellite ocean colour, and the fusion of Earth observation, meteorological and in situ data to infer increased risk of E. coli. The objectives are: 1. [D]omain expansion: to involve pilot aquaculture farms in two additional UK regions, and consultation with the largest salmon farms in Scotland, as a route to wider exploitation of the potential benefits of ShellEye's approach. 2. [E]nhanced resolution of HAB detection, from 1km to 300m, to improve precision of near-coast and near-farm HAB risk estimation (using latest Sentinel-3 satellite). 3. [M]arine insurance: to develop long-term HAB probability maps to assist in insurance risk assessment, and encourage clients to take up satellite early warning to reduce losses. 4. [O]ther types of aquaculture, using a customised version of the ShellEye methods to protect the emerging potential of offshore lobster farming. This will be achieved through activities organised into 5 work packages: Stakeholder engagement; Enhanced HAB warning; Microbiological hazard warning for new domains and types; Quantifying HAB risk for marine insurance; and Advanced pilot trial. Partners from the insurance industry, aquaculture farms in three regions, and regulatory organisations, will contribute their time, expertise and data to support the application of our novel methods and engage in real-time trials. Outputs will comprise pilot risk-warning services to address the challenges of satellite monitoring and modelling of dynamic near-coastal environments; and a long-term HAB probability to inform the challenge of assessing insurance risk. Impact will be realised through development and protection of UK aquaculture industries, the quantification of reduced stock losses and recalls, and improved insurance risk assessment enabling lower premiums. All of which will help to boost the UK aquaculture industry and the quality of its produce, and contribute to increased economic gains and food security impacts for the UK. Keywords: Sustainable aquaculture; shellfish; finfish; salmon; harmful algal blooms; E coli; satellite Earth observation; ocean colour; modelling of microbiological hazards. Secured project partner stakeholders: Sunderland Marine Insurance (SMI) National Lobster Hatchery (NLH) Westcountry Mussels Ltd (WCM) Morecambe Bay Oysters Bangor Mussel Producers Ltd Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS) Food Standards Agency (FSA) Shellfish Association of Great Britain (SAGB) Scottish Salmon Producers' Organisation (SSPO)