ACTYS

The coastal seafloor on the SE Mediterranean Sea is supporting an increasing number of human development activities (e.g.: fishing, shipping, energy/tourism infrastructures) and at the same time faces various threats such the introduction of invasive species due to ocean warming. Therefore, adequate marine planning requires the employment of advanced methods for mapping shallow seafloor (< 10 m depth) efficiently and in detail. The main objective of this research is to combine remotely-sensed spectral data with depth observations from an autonomous surface platform and use deep learning algorithms for predicting bathymetry of shallow seafloor based on its color. In order to achieve these goals, the proposed research is planned to be implemented by participation of two expert FORTH Institutes (IMS/FORTH and ICS/FORTH) in this proposal, each of them providing unique input and support to the proposed activities. This collaboration aims at producing modern, valuable tools for optical bathymetry that will help minimize the costs for field survey and provide an improved view of the coastal seafloor surface.

The project is funded by “FORTH-SYNERGY grant” call.