Satellite-Derived Bathymetry (SDB) Training for the Western Indian Ocean using Optimal Satellite Imagery

Résumé

The proposed Satellite-Derived Bathymetry (SDB) training is designed to strengthen regional capacity in shallow-water mapping by providing a comprehensive introduction to SDB principles, methodologies, and applications. The training will address the persistent challenge of limited nearshore bathymetric data by equipping participants with both theoretical knowledge and practical technical skills.

Key components of the training include hands-on experience with SDB tools, GIS software, and data processing workflows. The program also aims to align participants' capabilities with the goals of global initiatives such as the Seabed 2030 Project and the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, fostering skills that support national, regional, and international marine mapping efforts.

In addition, the training will highlight the relevance of SDB to a wide range of applications—including safe navigation, coastal zone management, marine spatial planning, and hydrodynamic modeling—thereby promoting cross-sectoral integration and utility of SDB-derived data in policy and decision-making contexts.

Venue: 

Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute

Mombasa, Kenya

Learning outcomes

• The participants will understand the foundational principles of SDB and its integration with other bathymetric methods.
• The participants, upon completion of the training will be able to recognize the advantages and limitations of SDB compared to traditional approaches.
• Upon completion of the training the participants will have learnt how to source and pre-process multispectral satellite imagery for bathymetric mapping purposes.
• The participants will gain expertise in SDB algorithms and techniques for depth estimation.
• The participants will gain skills and proficiency in using open-source tools (e.g., QGIS, ArcGIS, or similar platforms) to analyze satellite data for shallow-water bathymetry generation.
• The participants will be able to apply workflows for mapping and visualization of shallow-water bathymetry.
• The participants will be able to evaluate the accuracy of SDB outputs and compare them with in-situ data.
• The participants will be able to understand how SDB supports the Seabed 2030 initiative and UN Ocean Decade goals.
• The training will be able to develop the capacity to implement SDB in regional contexts for collaborative marine research and management, including data crowdsourcing.

Course contents

This training will equip participants with the foundational knowledge of SDB principles and methodologies and demonstrate the role of SDB in addressing gaps in nearshore bathymetric data coverage. The training will also introduce participants to the acquisition and processing of satellite data and the SDB data processing workflows. The training will also align participants’ skills with the objectives of the Seabed 2030 initiative and the UN Decade of Ocean Science and foster regional capacity-building for effective shallow-water mapping to support national, regional, and global initiatives.

The training format will be blended learning with live sessions, hands-on exercises, and self-paced quizzes. The training will encompass the following four (4) training modules/components:

1. Introduction module entailing lectures on fundamentals of remote sensing and satellite-derived bathymetry.
2. Data acquisition and pre-processing entailing practical, hands-on guidance on selecting optimal satellite images for SDB, including criteria for selection and correction techniques.
3. SDB workflow and implementation entailing detailed training on spatial filtering, water separation, determining extinction depth, applying the SDB algorithm, and vertical referencing.
4. Case studies entailing supervised, hands-on application of SDB techniques by participants using country-specific datasets for context-relevant implementation.

Who should apply?

We invite applications from motivated individuals from the WIO region who are passionate about ocean mapping. The target audience will be anyone interested in ocean mapping and therefore covers government officials, marine conservation practitioners, planners, NGOs, Industry, and policy makers. Priority will be given to participants from the WIO region and IOC-UNESCO coastal Member States in Africa and the adjacent Island States. Limited funding (including travel grants) for participation is available. No registration fee is required. KMFRI, GEBCO, TCarta Marine LLC, Regional Centre for Mapping of Resources for Development (RCMRD) and Felapay LLC are committed to promoting gender equality and applications from minority or underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged.

Pre-requisites

• A working knowledge of English
• Background knowledge in marine sciences
• Basic computer skills (either Windows or Mac systems)
• Basic knowledge of GIS and remote sensing is recommended
• Have an interest or new responsibilities in working with marine bathymetry data and/or information.

To complete this training, participants should have access to:

• A personal computer
• Latest version of either Chrome, Edge, Firefox, or Safari web browsers
• Tools and Software: QGIS, ArcGIS and other comparable  software

An introductory tutorial of ArcGIS Pro will be provided to the selected participants close to the training dates.

Language of instruction: English

Moderators and Instructors

• Dr Amon Kimeli – PhD in Geosciences, CAT A certified Hydrographer, MSc in Marine and Lacustrine Science and Management, BSc in Geology
• Ms. Daina Mathai-MSc in Coastal Management, CAT A certified Hydrographer, BSc in Environmental Science
• Kyle Goodrich
• Tiziana Munene
• Leonard Sweta-Pricncipal GIS and Remote Sensing Analyst, Phd student Ecosystems and Climate Change, Master of Science in Geo information & Earth Observation(Geo-Informatics).
• Fadhili Malesa –PhD student in Fisheries and Climate Change at the University of Exeter, CAT A certified Hydrographer, MSc in Marine Science.

Organizers

RTC Kenya, and others to be listed

Course duration and format:

In-person course, with a total of 35 hours of training time involving on-site activities.

Learner Assessment and Certificate

Learners will be assessed through a blended learning approach that includes live sessions, hands-on exercises, and self-paced quizzes. Successful completion of the training will require participants to complete all lessons within each module, as well as all associated quizzes and practical exercises. In addition, submission of a course feedback survey is mandatory as part of the assessment process.

A certificate will be awarded for those who successfully:

• Complete all lessons in each Module of the course
• Complete all quizzes and exercises
• Submitted course feedback survey

How to apply

This course has a limited number of participants. 

Applications are being managed by KMFRI. The applications start on 23 June 2025 and the deadline to submit is 30 July 2025  (23:59 CEST: Central European Summer Time).

Participants will be selected through a competitive process, based on the following criteria:

●      A motivation statement (text file) of a maximum of 300 words indicating why the applicant is interested in bathymetry (e.g., career relevance, scientific curiosity, regional needs), how this training aligns with their current or anticipated job responsibilities, any specific goals they hope to achieve through the training (e.g., applying bathymetric tools in marine planning, environmental monitoring, or coastal resilience) and a demonstration of commitment to professional growth and to applying the acquired skills in practical settings.

●      An official endorsement by the parent institution (e.g., on letterhead, signed by a supervisor or department head) confirming that the institution supports the applicant’s participation. Assurance that the applicant will be in a position to share knowledge—through training others, integrating techniques into organizational workflows, or contributing to collaborative projects and an indication that the institution values the skills and tools to be gained, thereby maximizing the impact of the training.

●      Work experience (Curriculum Vitae) detailing the experience in oceanography, marine science, geospatial analysis, hydrography, or related domains. Current role and responsibilities that intersect with bathymetry or marine data use and evidence of prior involvement in fieldwork, data analysis, mapping, or coastal/marine management projects will be an added advantage.

●      Relevant educational background (Curriculum Vitae) showing proof of academic qualifications in fields such as marine science, environmental science, geography, geoinformatics, geology, or ocean engineering. Courses, certifications, or research related to bathymetry, GIS, remote sensing, or oceanographic data analysis will be an added advantage.

UNESCO is committed to promoting equal access principles. Applications from minority or underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged.

 Contacts

• Daiana Mathai dainamathai@gmail.com and Harrison Hoganda honganda@kmfri.go.ke
• OTGA Secretariat: ioc.training@unesco.org

Costs

This training has no tuition fees.

Full or partial sponsorship for travel, accommodation, meals, and training materials will eb provided by course organizers.

Feedback survey:

At the end of the course, you will be asked to fill out a feedback survey. This information will be used to improve future courses.

Cancellation policy

In the event of cancellation of the course by the OTGA or its affiliates, we will provide notification of cancellation at least 7 days prior to the course date. In the event of cancellation by the attendee, we should receive notification of cancellation at least 7 days prior to the course date.