SeSaM: Seasonal Sargassum Monitoring
- Creators
- Space Climate Observatory
- Others:
- IRD
- CLS
- Mercator Ocean
- CNES
Description
The SeSAM (Sargassum Seasonal forecasting and Monitoring) project is dedicated to the observation, modeling, and forecasting of Sargassum proliferation and strandings in the Tropical Atlantic Ocean. This initiative aims to support risk management and mitigation strategies, responding to a pressing demand from civil society and affected coastal communities.
SeSAM builds upon existing international efforts (NOAA, GEO Blue Planet) and integrates two key components:
- SAMTool (CLS): An operational satellite detection system providing near real-time monitoring.
- NEMO-Sarg1.0 (IRD - FORESEA Project): A basin-scale forecasting model simulating the biological and drift properties of Sargassum rafts.
The project leverages Mercator Ocean International's Digital Twin Ocean framework to implement an advanced prediction and monitoring system, enabling stakeholders to make informed decisions for Sargassum management and mitigation.
Key Features
- Near real-time monitoring of Sargassum presence using high-resolution satellite data.
- Seasonal forecasting of Sargassum influxes across the Tropical Atlantic.
- Data accessibility through open platforms (AVISO/ODATIS, Sargassum Hub).
- Support for communities and policymakers in Sargassum-affected regions.
SeSAM provides free and open access to its outputs, enhancing the global response to Sargassum proliferation and supporting scientific collaboration in this field.