THE south-west coast will be at the forefront of the fight against climate change when a space-age mini submarine is launched off Portland next week. It might look like a hi-tech torpedo but the region's offshore anglers have been assured the sleek submersible is not a weapon of mass destruction. It is called an ocean glider and will take to the water near the continental shelf to gather a range of scientific data and beam it back to scientists on dry land. The glider, valued at more than $120,000, can plunge to depths of 1000 metres and operate independently for several months, covering up to 4600 kilometres. The 1.8-metre craft will log temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, chlorophyll and depth between the south-west coast and Kangaroo Island, Department of Primary Industries (DPI) fisheries researcher Paul McCoy said.The data will be transmitted to a shore lab via satellite almost instantly, giving scientists an insight into key environmental indicators. The project is a joint effort of the DPI and its South Australian counterpart. A similar glider will be launched off Tasmania this week before the team of scientists deploys the second craft off Portland next week. Those involved with the project, including Mr McCoy, urged anyone who might find the glider in open water not to interfere with it or bring it back to shore. The craft features an air bladder which inflates and deflates to allow it to climb and dive, as well as a battery pack which can be shifted inside the missile-like shell to help it steer, with the help of its fixed wings. Each time the glider comes to the surface, its position can be fixed using global positioning system (GPS), before the next waypoint is set. While the glider has no propeller, and a maximum speed of only 0.5 knots, scientists can learn about the movement and speed of ocean currents by monitoring its progress.