Abstract
An overview is presented on the use of remote sensing to monitor the coastal waters of Western Australia. Landsat Multispectral Sensor and Thematic Mapper data, and SPOT imagery have been used extensively to detect illegal modification of the landscape, coastal flooding, vegetation surveys, and algal blooms, and to delineate marine substrate features. The data have been utilized to produce an atlas of coastal resources in order to determine sensitive areas, sites available for development, and methods to mitigate oil spills. Fisheries and coral reefs have also been inventoried. Landsat Thematic Mapper data are being used increasingly to monitor sea-surface temperatures in an effort to better understand the consequences of global warming.