The system, funded by the national Integrated Marine Observing System (IMOS) will provide unprecedented insights into the role of the Southern Ocean on our climate, ecosystems and seafood production.

SAIMOS, which has been established by scientists from SARDI Aquatic Sciences and Flinders University over the past three years, uses a range of cutting edge technologies that will reveal critical information to help manage our valuable fisheries and shape our responses to climate change.

The research capability created by this team will undertake fundamental research to guide fisheries management, the selection of aquaculture sites, inform the establishment of marine parks, sewage outfalls and potential biosecurity risks.

SAIMOS is using a range of cutting edge equipment deployed off the coasts of Southern Australia and western Victoria to collect data including sub-ocean gliders, shelf moorings, ship-based surveys, autonomous underwater vehicles and even Australia sea lions.

This information is being interpreted through a hydrodynamic/biogeochemical modelling facility developed by the SARDI and Flinders University researchers.

An over-the-horizon HF Ocean RADAR system, funded by the State and Commonwealth Governments as part of the Commonwealth’s National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS) and part of the SAIMOS infrastructure, will significantly improve maritime safety providing users with web-based near real time data on ocean currents, waves and winds.

SAIMOS program leader, Associate Professor John Middleton, says the advanced data that is being collected by SAIMOS has already led to several new projects.

“SAIMOS data streams have revealed the intensity of two extreme upwelling events that occurred in 2008 and 2010. We are now using this data to investigate whether there is any link between these and the subsequent decline in rock lobster production,” he said.

“Another project is providing advice on the placement and sustainable growth of new aquaculture zones in Spencer Gulf.”

SAIMOS has been funded by the Integrated Marine Observing System (IMOS), through the Australian Government’s National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS), the South Australian Government, Marine Innovation SA (MISA), South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI), Flinders University and the Victorian Government.

The South Australian Government has contributed $1.8m toward SAIMOS while Flinders University has provided funding of $1.2m. The Commonwealth has provided the majority of funding.

All RADAR and SAIMOS data will soon be available via the IMOS Ocean Portal. 

Footage including interview grabs, raw footage of equipment being deployed in SA waters, underwater footage and a short explanatory film are available to journalists at the links below.

Further background can be found at: www.sardi.sa.gov.au/saimos

DVD ‘Insights’:
ftp://central.pir.sa.gov.au/outgoing/saimos/movie/SAIMOS_launch.mp4

Raw footage and interview grabs:
ftp://central.pir.sa.gov.au/outgoing/saimos/movie/SAIMOS_launch_media.mp4
ftp://central.pir.sa.gov.au/outgoing/saimos/movie/SAIMOS_Middleton_interview.mp4

For further information: SARDI Aquatic Sciences SAIMOS Program Leader, Associate Professor John Middleton 8207 5449 / 040222 6490

SARDI Communications: Heather Riddell 0417 851936

The Cape Wiles HF Ocean RADAR system will improve safety at sea

SAIMOS researchers deploying an Acoustic Doplar Current Profiler that measures pressure, oxygen, turbidity (water cloudiness), fluorescence (chlorophyll concentration) and PAR (the amount of biologically important sunlight that penetrates the water column). The ADCP’s also measure ocean currents between the ocean floor and surface

An Australian sea lion ‘oceanographic observer’ with a conductivity-temperature and depth logger attached is helping provide researchers with unprecedented data on how the ocean works.

Recovery of a mooring from the seafloor in Spencer Gulf using the SARDI research vessel RV Ngerin. Instruments on the mooring provide oceanographers with measurements of current speed and direction, temperature, salinity and the amount of phytoplankton in the water.

SAIMOS researchers deploying a sub-ocean glider which measures changes in ocean activity.

The sub-ocean glider being used to collect knowledge about the physical properties of the ocean.