An application of satellite-derived sea surface temperature data to the Australian fishing industry in near real-time

A four-year project conducted from 1981 to 1985 examined the application of satellite-derived near real-time sea surface temperature data in assisting the Tuna fishing industry located along the southwestern coast of Australia. The satellite imagery employed was obtained from the NOAA series of polar orbiting satellites. Since the southern bluefin tuna is a pelagic species, it had been anticipated that a good correlation would be found between sea surface temperatures and catches. Early experimental results tended to confirm that view, but a number of anomalies existed in those results. It is now suggested that a weak correlation exists between temperature and catches, but this is due to localized factors. A theory justifying this assumption is given.