Researchers at the Conrad Blucher Institute for Surveying and Science at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi are putting artificial intelligence to work to help protect marine life in the Laguna Madre.

CBI’s Coastal Dynamics Lab recently launched an updated AI prediction model that forecasts air and water temperatures in the Laguna Madre, where rapidly falling temperatures during strong winter cold fronts can trigger fish kills and cold-stunning events among sea turtles. By providing advance insight into potentially dangerous conditions, these predictions can help researchers, agencies and other coastal stakeholders coordinate response efforts and make more informed decisions about activities in the Laguna Madre.

The model builds on more than a decade of cold-water forecasting research at CBI. Originally developed by Dr. Robyn Ball during her master’s studies at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, the model is now maintained and advanced by the Coastal Dynamics Lab’s Cool Turtles team, led by Coastal and Marine System Science Ph.D. student Miranda White. The team also includes students Jarett Woodall, Christian Duff, Hector Marrero-Colominas, Andrew DeSimone, and Elisa Flores.

The work supports the broader Texas Marine Cold Water Response Collaboration, which brings together researchers, agencies, industry and other stakeholders to prepare for and respond to extreme cold events in the Laguna Madre.

Explore the live model and latest predictions: https://sherlock-prod.tamucc.edu/flare/crps