Marine Species Monitoring and Prediction System (7126-600)

Physical Sciences Inc. (PSI) and its partner, the Center for Marine Science, Environment and Technology (CMAST) at the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth propose to develop a methodology and system for predicting the presence of large marine mammals and other relevant marine species in ocean areas where Naval exercises may be carried out. A five task program will be accomplished including a literature survey, assessment of satellite data availability, the definition of relevant species migration data and dynamic models and the design of a prototype airborne sensor. This information will be used to design and develop a methodology exploiting a two step evaluation process based on satellite and airborne data which will meet the defined Navy requirement. The result of this study will be an evaluation of the feasibility of such a system and the definition of a proof-of-concept demonstration to verify our conclusions. Once the demonstration is successfully accomplished in a successor Phase II program, the Navy will have an established methodology which can be utilized to ensure that no significant harm to endangered or commercially important marine species occurs as a result of fleet exercises.