Exploring the vast ocean at spatial and temporal resolutions fine enough to characterize key oceanographic processes is unaffordable. Hence, new technologies and platforms to obtain in situ data as a complement to RV surveys are being developed. Here, we present results from functionality and performance tests carried out to optimise a Fisheries Observing System (FOS) workflow. This FOS version is composed of sensors (WiSens data logger) and data processing tools (MobCo receiver and BlueCherry.io cloud platform) with improved connectivity features with respect to older devices. Tests were performed in several cruises off the Iberian Peninsula both in research and commercial vessels during MyCOAST and iFADO projects. FOS performance was tested on several data logging configurations and in different collection platforms (fishing gears and plankton nets). Although the basic FOS was proved to work without human intervention, several shortcomings were identified that significantly limit the complete automation and controllability of the process. To deal with them, some tools were developed, such as an API to interact with the data cloud platform, an alert system to communicate data processing and error events, a web application for data visualisation and tools for real time and delayed mode dissemination to data hubs. Our results demonstrate that the improved FOS version is sufficiently mature to be implemented in commercial fishing vessels for sustained monitoring of ocean physics and biogeochemistry as a contribution to the IEO observing system (IEOOS) in Spanish waters.

Primary Presenter: Tamara Rodríguez Ramos, Spanish Institute of Oceanography (IEO-CSIC) (tamara.rodriguez@ieo.csic.es)

Authors:

Tamara Rodríguez-Ramos, Spanish Institute of Oceanography (IEO-CSIC)  (tamara.rodriguez@ieo.csic.es)

Gonzalo González-Nuevo, Spanish Institute of Oceanography (IEO-CSIC)  (gonzalo.gonzaleznuevo@ieo.csic.es)

Elena Tel, Spanish Institute of Oceanography (IEO-CSIC)  (elena.tel@ieo.csic.es)

Manuel Ruiz-Villarreal, Spanish Institute of Oceanography (IEO-CSIC)  (manuel.ruiz@ieo.csic.es)