Using Satellite Data to Monitor Fish Stocks in the Aegean
The University of the Aegean
Founded in 1984, the University of the Aegean aims to promote regional development and to introduce new approaches in higher education in Greece and worldwide. Member of the European Universities Association (EUA), member of the EMUNI Senate and partner in many academics and research networks, the University of the Aegean has become a dynamic and competitive institution at national and international level and a strong social and economic stakeholder in the region.
The challenge
Fish stock monitoring is an integral part of fisheries research and management. It is vital for assessing the state of the ecosystem, and if there are changes to the suitable habitat of the species.
Traditional methods of small pelagic fish monitoring is done through catch assessment onboard fishing vessels, fishing logbooks, and echo surveys. All these methods are time-consuming and require a lot of resources, either financial or manpower.
The satellite solution
The University of the Aegean developed remote sensing models using Copernicus Sentinel-3 data (OLCI and SLSTR sensors) to monitor environmental conditions such as chlorophyll-a and sea surface temperature. These variables act as proxies for identifying suitable habitats and feeding grounds for small pelagic fish.
The results
The project led to the development of an operational workflow that produces:
- Spatial distribution models (1 km) for both anchovy and sardine populations, enabling precise mapping of potential habitats.
- Daily presence/absence prediction maps, where each pixel represents the likelihood of observing a given species at that location, based on the most recent satellite data.
- A pilot geospatial service, offering an interactive platform for fisheries managers to explore and access updated habitat information.
- Ancillary products, such as thermal front maps, which highlight biologically productive zones where different water masses meet—often hotspots for fish activity.