Technology has made it a lot easier to plan for a perfect day at the beach. There are weather apps, surf apps and even beach cams that give us an idea of what to expect, even before we leave the house.
Unfortunately though, apps and cams can’t tell us whether or not we can expect to share the beach with bluebottles – those incredible but annoying sea animals that deliver a sting to make your day at the beach unforgettable for the wrong reasons.
Now scientists from UNSW Sydney are working on technology to predict which beaches and on what days bluebottles will wash ashore.
Using wind and swell forecasts, knowledge about this curious creature’s anatomy and lots of complicated maths that oceanography brings with it, the scientists are building a tool that can make the likelihood of picking a beach with bluebottles more than just a matter of (bad) luck.
Still in its testing phase, the plan is to include the prediction tool in Surf Life Saving Australia’s app, Beachsafe, when next summer rolls around.
Find out more in this short video from UNSW:
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