Limitations & advantages of the tools

Important notes

• Finding hotspots or breaks means using a combination of data
• Cloud cover impacts some data but not others

Why you should understand the data

Once you understand the data sources' limitations you will be able to understand when and how to use it properly.

Each tool on Fishtrack has its advantages and limitations. We need to use a combination of these tools to identify changes in the sea state, in order to find fish. The more tools utilized, the higher chance of locking into a hotspot.

SST

"Latest SST" imagery is the most accurate sea temperature tool. When possible, use the latest imagery first, as it will be the most recent data available. But you may find that the Latest SST images are mostly blank, due to cloud cover...

Cloudfree SST combines multiple recent SST images to "fill in the blanks". This is a great tool to "build an image" when clouds are problematic, but the temperature data may not be as recent/accurate as with the raw satellite images.

If recent SST images have been mostly blank, it is safe to assume that the Cloudfree SST product may not be the most accurate of the available tools to utilize in order to find "breaks".

You might prefer to utilize a slightly older, but raw SST image vs the Cloudfree product. As long as your area of interest hasn't been blocked by clouds, the improved resolution of the raw image will make identifying breaks easier.

SSH

The Sea Surface Height overlay isn't affected by cloud cover and provides us with clues about water temperature.

SSH data overlays won't line up precisely with satellite imagery, but you will see that the data sources correspond and can be used when there is no recent satellite imagery to go off of. It's certainly better than driving around blind, particularly when you are aware of the limitations of the data.

The currents overlay is derived from SSH data.

Chlorophyll

Impacted by cloud cover. When data coverage is minimal, you can use a combination of SST images and chlorophyll images to figure out either one.