PEN05: Let's improve aquaculture in Portugal?

A Real-Time AI-Powered App to Monitor Sea Temperature and Biotoxins for Sustainable Aquaculture

Climate change is increasingly reshaping our oceans. One of its most direct and alarming consequences is the steady rise in sea temperatures. This warming is not only altering marine ecosystems, but it is also intensifying the proliferation of harmful algal blooms—microscopic algae that produce marine biotoxins. These toxic organisms pose significant threats to marine life and human health and have become an escalating concern for the aquaculture industry, particularly in countries with strong coastal economies like Portugal.

In Portugal, bivalve aquaculture (the farming of mussels, clams, oysters, and other shellfish) is a vital sector. However, it is especially vulnerable to the presence of biotoxins. Bivalves are filter feeders, meaning they absorb and accumulate toxins from surrounding waters, making them dangerous for human consumption during contamination events. As biotoxin outbreaks become more frequent due to rising water temperatures, aquaculture producers face increasing challenges—including sudden harvest bans, financial losses, and long-term uncertainty.

Despite the importance of environmental monitoring, most existing tools are reactive, data-heavy, and often inaccessible to small-scale producers or those without technical expertise. What is urgently needed is an intelligent, easy-to-use system that provides real-time environmental forecasting and early warnings—enabling producers and authorities to respond proactively.

Develop a mobile application


- To respond to a major social or environmental problem
- To learn and develop my skills through collaborative experience
- Contributing to innovation in the maritime sector
- To explore an innovative idea using marine data

App based AI developer, data analyst, IT developer