The Australian Government's Innovation Report

David Griffin (left) and Andreas Schiller, team members of BLUElink – Ocean Forecasting Australia, a key Wealth from Oceans National Research Flagship project,
linking with the Bureau of Meteorology and the Royal Australian Navy. Photo credits: Bruce Miller
Understanding our region and the world
Predicting ocean weather: A powerful new suite of ocean models that can predict the influence of ocean
currents on marine activity, from sonar operations to weather forecasting, has been developed in a milestone
collaboration between the Royal Australian Navy, the Bureau of Meteorology and CSIRO through the Wealth
from Oceans Flagship.
The $15 million BLUElink – Ocean Forecasting Australia project builds on three years of intensive research
and development. It puts Australia at the forefront of ocean forecasting and adds important new capabilities
for naval and other marine operations as well as for weather and climate research.
The BLUElink model can predict ocean weather including the temperature, salinity and currents in a threedimensional
presentation up to seven days in advance. The sophisticated modelling uses data gathered from satellites
and a global network of Argo floats that provide detailed information about what is happening deep within
the ocean.
The project brings benefits to all marine operations, such as fishing, tourism, offshore engineering and mining,
coastal management and research into issues such as climate change.
BLUElink has also been used in a Fisheries Research and Development Corporation-funded project on the
ocean dispersal of Southern Rock Lobster larva. It is also being used by the Australian Fisheries Management
Authority to help conserve Southern Bluefish Tuna stocks off Australia’s east coast.
Tropical Warm Pool International Cloud Experiment: The Tropical Warm Pool International Cloud
Experiment, held around Darwin in January and February 2006 to study tropical cloud systems, was the largest
meteorological field programme held in Australia. Key planning and organisation was carried out by BMRC
scientists and their partners.
114 Backing Australia’s Ability