Abstract: In an aspect, there is provided a method that includes: obtaining a physics-based ocean simulation model that specifies multiple simulation parameters, obtaining data characterizing an ocean in a geographical region, determining initial values of the simulation parameters based on data characterizing the ocean in the geographical region, and determining adjusted values of the simulation parameters. Determining adjusted values can include performing a simulation using the initial values of the simulation parameters to determine an initial simulation output, evaluating a task-specific objective function that is based on a measure of disagreement between: (i) the initial simulation output, and (ii) a target value for the ocean in the geographical region, and determining adjusted values of the simulation parameters of the physics-based ocean simulation model.