Low Cost Ocean Temperature Profile Sensing

Changes in ocean temperature have a profound impact on the productivity of fisheries and aquaculture. Sampling offshore ocean temperatures, particularly at depth, is challenging and expensive. As commercial fishermen are becoming more and more aware of the correlations between water temperature and harvest, opportunistic sampling from fishing gear can help fill this sampling need. Existing opportunistic sampling programs are hindered by the high cost (order ~$1,000) of sensor nodes and the need for integrating data-transmission hardware with the host ship. A simpler and less expensive approach is needed. Creare and our collaborators at the University of Maine propose to develop the Wireless Open Water Logger (WOWL), an open-source, inexpensive (<$100/unit price), and easy to use ensor for logging water temperature and depth. In Phase I we will design, fabricate and test a proof-ofconcept WOWL sensor, integrate it with our existing online citizen science infrastructure, and demonstrate performance in laboratory and open water testing. In Phase II we will refine the WOWL design, develop supporting hardware, fabricate multiple units, and demonstrate performance in a scientifically relevant study.