Low Cost Ocean Temperature Profile Sensing

Changes in ocean temperature profoundly impact the productivity of fisheries and aquaculture. Consistently sampling offshore ocean temperatures, particularly at depth, is challenging and expensive. However, opportunistic sampling from fishing gear can address the challenge. Existing programs, such as Environmental Monitoring on Lobster Traps, have capitalized on this on a small basis. Expanding these programs is hindered by the high cost of sensor nodes and the need for integrating with the host ship. A simpler and less expensive approach is needed. Creare is developing the Wireless Open Water Logger (WOWL, openwaterlogger.org), an open-source, inexpensive, and easy to use sensor for logging water temperature and depth. The WOWL is encapsulated in the waterproof casing that can be readily attached to commercial fishing gear. The system integrates with users’ smartphones, eliminating the need for dedicated hardware to retrieve and upload data. Data are geo-tagged by the smartphone and then uploaded to an existing, cloud-based, and publicly-accessible data repository. In Phase I we fabricated proof-of concept WOWL sensors and demonstrated their performance in open water testing. In Phase II we will refine and improve the WOWL design, develop supporting hardware, fabricate at least 100 units, and demonstrate performance in large-scale, long-duration, scientific study.