The recent use of satellites has been used to track surface algal blooms. This has resulted in the production of some services that purport to be Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) nowcasts and forecasts. Understanding this phenomenon requires a more complex approach. Thus, ASIMUTH aimed to develop forecasting capabilities to warn of impending harmful algal blooms.

The steps to achieve this included a series of scientific and technical objectives that enabled the modelling of physical – biological interactions leading to the forecasting of toxin events, fish mortalities or ecological disruption from harmful algal blooms. The project demonstrated that the physical, chemical and biological drivers, available through the GMES Marine core services and ongoing monitoring, can be used in a risk analysis/forecasting product to enable more successful mitigation of potential negative impacts.

ASIMUTH went on to win the European Space Agency Copernicus Masters Award for Best Service Challenge in 2013. Click here for more.