The main goal of the project is to map suitable habitat for native oyster in the Galway Bay, and using an operational coastal model system to forecast low salinity events that have a negative impact on oyster mortality, disseminating information through an specific User Interface platform to support sustainable and ecologically responsible acquaculture and biodiversity preservation in the Galway Bay.

The targeted zone (the Galway Bay) have 9 distinct classified shellfish production areas and there are on-going efforts to restore native oyster populations in the Bay. The entire inner bay is an Special Protected Area (SPA) under EU Birds Directive and a Special Area of Conservation under the EU Habitats Directive.

The coastal pilot service will use model data from the MI coastal model system (that already meets all the requirements of LEVEL 2 Op status) and in-situ NRT observational data.

The service wil count with a platform, developed by NOW Systems, to ensure end-user targeted visualization of forecasts products combined with other existing information. The Platform will include a fit-for-purpose warning system, customized by end users such as the NGO Cuan Beo & the Irish Environmental Protection Agency.