Abstract : The goals of this study are to develop models of radiative transfer for optically shallow waters with benthic substrates colonized by submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV). The models will enable prediction of upward spectral radiation from the seafloor, thereby permitting (i) the use of optical remote sensing to retrieve bathymetry, (ii) the search for submerged objects of anthropogenic origin and (iii) the mapping of submarine resource distribution and abundance in coastal waters. These models will also have important applications for predicting irradiance levels within submerged plant canopies, leading to better understanding of light requirements and primary productivity of these important resources.