As
more technologies are used for improving global fisheries surveillance and
monitoring techniques, it is essential to note that there is no single
technology, which could track, as well as expose illegal
fishing activities. Fisheries surveillance and monitoring, therefore, needs a
suite of obtainable technologies.
This
post identifies manifold technologies, which have emerged to help authorities
globally for improving enforcement and information exchange. These technologies
can be divided into two categories:
- Fisheries monitoring technology collects information on fishing activities to validate that they are not illegal at all.
- Surveillance technologies identify vessels, as well as observe fishing activities.
Data
collected by monitoring technology are taken for recordkeeping and also
analysis by professionals. Those data could be utilized with examination and
other surveillance data for prosecuting fisheries crimes in international and
national courts. The information is important to develop surveillance strategies
and inspection.
No
technology is the ultimate resolution to the complication. Each should be part
of an overall system, which includes infrastructure, trained personnel, and the
backing of a robust legal regime.
Technologies
used for fisheries monitoring and surveillance:
- Vessel monitoring systems: These systems enable direct communication from/to vessels and are commonly used and needed by several coastal states, flag states, and regional fishery bodies as well.
- Electronic monitoring systems: These are compact video monitoring technologies installed abroad fishing vessels for recording activities that take place on a regular basis and are needed by flag/coastal states and regional fishery bodies. The video is examined by officials right after vessels return to port.
- Synthetic aperture radar satellites circle the earth day and night and can spot vessels in isolated areas at the same time. The radar does not need assistance from fishing vessels, giving a more complete image of maritime activities.
- Automatic identification systems broadcast the position, identity, and other information of a vessel by VHF radio to neighboring vessels and coastal stations. Satellites can even capture the radio signals for providing an image of vessel activity or a global vessel monitoring system.
- Optical satellite sensors offer high-resolution images, atmospheric and oceanographic data and can continuously cover a small area. Though monitoring is restricted mainly in daylight hours and the quality of images degrades while cloudy.
