AMPHIBIOUS TECHNOLOGIES FOR SUSTAINABLE AQUACULTURE: INTEGRATING SATELLITE DATA AND IN SITU MONITORING THROUGH THE MAR (MULTIPURPOSE AMPHIBIOUS ROVER)

Introduction

This work presents the integration of satellite data and in situ measurements for improving coastal aquaculture monitoring and management. The MAR (Multipurpose Amphibious Rover), a fully electric amphibious platform, enables high-resolution environmental surveys in complex coastal areas. By supporting validation and calibration of satellite-derived data, MAR enhances the accuracy of water quality mapping. Its real-time sensing and data processing capabilities provide a robust tool for sustainable, data-driven aquaculture.

The project

The development of European aquaculture increasingly requires advanced technological solutions capable of improving environmental sustainability, operational safety, and data-driven decision-making. In this context, the integration of satellite-based observations with high-resolution in situ measurements represents a key opportunity to enhance the monitoring and management of coastal aquaculture systems.

The MAR – Multipurpose Amphibious Rover (www.eco-mar.it) is an innovative, modular, fully electric amphibious platform designed to operate in complex coastal environments such as lagoons, estuaries, and intertidal zones. These areas are often difficult to access and insufficiently covered by traditional monitoring infrastructures, making them ideal candidates for combined remote sensing and ground-truthing approaches.

This contribution explores the role of MAR as a complementary tool to satellite data, enabling the validation, calibration, and optimization of remote sensing products for aquaculture applications. By performing targeted in situ surveys, MAR provides high-frequency, geo-referenced environmental measurements that can be directly compared with satellite-derived parameters, improving the accuracy and reliability of coastal water mapping.

Key application domains include:

• Integration of satellite and in situ data for enhanced mapping of coastal water quality parameters (e.g., turbidity, chlorophyll, temperature, and detection of pollutants such as microplastics);

• Real-time environmental monitoring through onboard sensors, supporting continuous assessment of ecosystem health;

• Advanced data processing and transmission capabilities, enabling near real-time analysis and decision support;

• Surveillance and inspection of aquaculture infrastructure, combined with environmental data acquisition;

• Support for the optimization of site selection and farm management through improved spatial and temporal resolution of environmental information.

By bridging the gap between satellite observation and field data acquisition, MAR contributes to the development of a more resilient, transparent, and sustainable aquaculture sector. Its application supports the objectives of the European Green Deal and the Blue Economy, fostering innovation in coastal monitoring and strengthening collaboration between research institutions, technology providers, and aquaculture stakeholders.

The presentation aims to promote integrated pilot projects in Mediterranean regions, to demonstrate the added value of combining satellite analytics with autonomous amphibious platforms for next-generation aquaculture management.

MAR equipped with a multiparametric probe and with an underwater ROV