The Cawthron Institute in Nelson has launched a high-tech device to collect data on the state of coastal waters.
The so-called "brainy buoy" Tascam, was designed and built by the Institute.
It was placed in Tasman Bay on Friday.
Marine scientist Chris Cornelisen says its data could be used by marine farmers and recreational fishermen to check fishing or mussel growing conditions.
He says, more importantly, a series of such buoys around the country could collect information about water temperature, sediment, salinity and chlorophyll to measure the health of the sea.
The buoy transmits data on a radio frequency, rather than by satellite.
