Numerical models relating environmental variables, like food quantity and water temperature to shellfish growth can be helpful for optimization and management of shellfish culture sites, for spatial suitability analysis, and in understanding the dynamics of bivalve growth in an estuary or bay as a whole. 

CoastObs integrates spatio-temporal data of S3 basic products Chlorophyll-a, Total Suspended Matter and Sea Surface Temperature with the Dynamic Energy Budget theory for shellfish. Model output generally indicates for every pixel the growth potential in terms of shell length increase, but can be tailored to users wishes if desired (e.g. monthly maps or even daily if desired). Maps of shellfish culture potential are available for Blue mussels (Mytilus edulis) in the Dutch Wadden Sea and Oosterschelde estuary and the Mediterranean mussel (Mytilus provincialis) in the Spanish Galician Rias.

The introduction of EO data in shellfish production models was demonstrated successfully.

Application to other areas possible.

Well documented.

Use of EO data with modelling reduces the requirement for intensive monitoring, thus reducing costs. Environmental factor influencing yields, show seasonal and yearly variation, therefore continuous services are required.