Satellite data in support of sustainable ocean-based food systems: on-going activities at the European Space Agency

While the worlds’ consumption of aquatic foods has increased significantly in recent years and will continue to rise, both Aquaculture and Fisheries face numerous challenges jeopardizing the sustainability of those practices.  Satellite observations can provide crucial, repetitive and global observations to support the ocean-based food systems while enhancing their sustainability. They provide key information on the marine environment (e.g. sea surface temperature, chlorophyll-a concentration, ocean currents,…) that have an influence on the distribution and abundance of fish stocks and therefore inform fisheries managers of the location of sustainable habitats for various species, supporting them to make informed decisions about when and where to fish to minimize the impact on target species, reduce bycatch and avoid overfishing. Measured parameters are also key for identifying suitable locations for aquaculture farms, planning aquaculture operations and support effective monitoring and management strategies by assessing the health of aquatic ecosystems, preventing pollution, and optimizing conditions for aquaculture species. The objective of this presentation is to give an overview of several on-going projects funded within the EO4Society programme element of the European Space Agency (ESA), within which new satellite-based products and tools are being developed to support sustainable fisheries and aquaculture sectors, in close link with relevant stakeholders (e,g. fishermen, aquaculture farmers, regulating, monitoring, managing, financing authorities).