Forecasting Projects

Image of jellyfish, COVID-19, whale, and tick

Below is a sample of some of our current forecasting projects.

Lobster Shell Disease - Epizootic shell disease is a potential threat to lobster populations. We're working with industry and management to develop predictions of the spread of this disease.

Harmful Algal Bloom forecasts - We are working with the shellfish industry, Maine Department of Marine Resources, and Bigelow Analytical Services to develop weekly, site-specific forecasts of algal toxins to give one-to-two-week notice ahead of shellfish closures and re-openings.Forecasts are posted weekly on Maine DMR's website: Maine Phytoplankton Data and Biotoxin Forecast

North Atlantic right whale - In collaboration with multiple partners, we are developing data tools to inform predictions of where endangered right whales will show up, with the aim of reducing risk to the species while maintaining other uses of the marine environment.

Environmental DNA - We are developing forecasting tools that use DNA measured in the environment (eDNA) to provide early warning of species of concern, such as white sharks or toxic algae.

Workshops - We provide training on ocean forecasting and other data science and machine learning techniques through regular workshops, such as OceanHackWeek

Ecocaster: Crowd-science forecasting - Using sightings by everyday people, we build experimental forecasts of species ranging from jellyfish to whales.