Work

From pixels to policy: Calibration of satellite-derived ocean water quality metrics to guide EBFM in Exmouth Gulf, Western Australia

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Satellite-derived ocean water quality products offer cost-effective, broadscale monitoring solutions for ecosystem-based fisheries management. However, their application in nearshore, turbid environments requires rigorous validation. This study assessed the performance of satellite-derived sea surface temperature, turbidity, and chlorophyll- a products against a five-year (2016 - 2020) in-situ dataset from Exmouth Gulf, Western Australia; a remote embayment supporting key nursery habitats for ecologically, socially and commercially important fish and fisheries. In-situ loggers, Secchi depth, and datasonde deployments were compared with GHRSST, MODIS-Aqua, and CMEMS satellite-derived products. Strong alignment was found between satellite-derived and in-situ benthic temperatures during non-winter months ( R ² > 0.94), with winter overestimation likely associated with reduced vertical mixing under calmer conditions. Satellite-derived turbidity correlated well with Secchi depth ( R² = 0.805), and generalised linear models revealed spatial location and wind direction as primary turbidity drivers. In contrast, satellite-derived chlorophyll- a consistently overestimated field observations and showed no significant correlation, likely due to shallow water interference and low ambient productivity. A significant bushfire adjacent to Exmouth Gulf was serendipitously observed during the study in March 2018, revealed a compelling link between terrestrial disturbance and benthic light anomalies, supported by both in-situ logger data and satellite-derived turbidity. These findings highlight the value of integrating satellite and in-situ monitoring to detect environmental anomalies and support responsive fisheries management. This study demonstrates the utility and limitations of remote sensing for ocean water quality assessment in complex coastal systems and reinforces the need for site-specific validation when integrating satellite data into operational ecosystem-based fisheries management frameworks.

Source: Regional Studies in Marine Science

DOI: 10.1016/j.rsma.2025.104672

Authors: Scott N. Evans, Nick Konzewitsch, Rachel Marks, Renae K. Hovey, Lynda M. Bellchambers

Institutions: The University of Western Australia, Government of Western Australia, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Oceans Institute

Language: English

Topic: Marine and coastal ecosystems

Subfield: Oceanography

Field: Earth and Planetary Sciences

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Life below water, Clean water and sanitation, Climate action

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,030