The global fishing industry is a major economic force, with wild capture fisheries alone valued at over $150 billion annually. However, finding and sustaining fish stocks profitably remains a challenge. Overfishing has led to the depletion of many commercial fish species, while changing ocean conditions driven by climate change are causing fish to shift their natural habitats.
In recent years, advances in space technology have opened up new possibilities for efficiently locating productive fishing areas across the world’s oceans. Satellites, in particular, are becoming invaluable tools for fisheries management and sustainability. This article explores how combining satellite data with other space technologies can help the fishing industry maximize catches while supporting responsible and sustainable practices.
Satellite Technology Enables Global Tracking
Satellites equipped with advanced sensors and imaging technology allow comprehensive tracking and monitoring of fishing activity across the globe. Organizations like Global Fishing Watch use satellite data to identify fishing vessels, map their movements, and quantify fishing effort. This enables detecting illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing even in remote areas.
In addition, satellite data helps identify ocean hotspots where fish aggregate. Features like color and temperature gradients spotted from space can indicate areas of potential fish abundance. Fishermen can use this satellite intelligence to find productive fishing zones efficiently.
Combining Data Sources Provides Insights
While satellite imagery offers a valuable broad view, it has limitations in resolution and accuracy. Combining it with other data sources provides more granular insights. For instance, satellite data can be supplemented with information from fishing vessels’ onboard automatic identification system (AIS), which provides real-time coordinates.
Data from ocean buoys and underwater drones equipped with sensors can give on-the-ground measurements of variables like currents, salinity and chlorophyll levels. Artificial intelligence can then analyze these diverse data streams to generate predictive models pinpointing fish location and abundance.
Space Technologies Enable Sustainable Fishing
Locating fish is only one part of the equation. Space technologies also enable practices that allow fishing without depleting stocks. Satellite tracking of individual fishing vessels makes it possible to monitor for compliance with regulations on where, when and how much fishing occurs. This promotes adherence to catch quotas and prevention of overfishing.
Satellites also play a key role in mapping and protecting sensitive marine habitats like coral reefs and seagrass that serve as critical breeding grounds for commercial fish species. Spatial fishing restrictions can then be implemented in these areas. Furthermore, satellites help monitor ecosystem changes and effects of climate change, allowing adaptive management of fisheries.
Benefits to Small-Scale Fisheries
While large commercial fleets have capitalized most on space tech, small-scale local fishermen also stand to benefit. Satellite data and AI modeling can be used to build mobile apps that provide local insights on potential fishing zones, weather, and ocean conditions. Such information services are empowering small fishing communities with knowledge to boost productivity and resilience.
Non-profits are also using space tech to support small-scale fisheries. Global Fishing Watch shares satellite data on illegal fishing with local groups, enabling monitoring by coastal communities. Other efforts are building low-cost tracking devices so small vessels can also be monitored via satellite.
Challenges and Concerns
Despite the promise, effectively leveraging space tech in fisheries does come with challenges. Data collection and analysis requires significant investment and expertise which poorer regions may lack. There are also concerns about privacy and fair access to space-derived intelligence.
To realize full benefits, space technology solutions need to be paired with strong governance, monitoring, and community engagement. If deployed responsibly, satellites and related innovations can transform fishing to be both profitable and sustainable.
Summary
Space technologies like satellites, AI and advanced sensors are providing sophisticated capabilities to locate fish stocks and enable responsible fishing worldwide. By combining global tracking data from satellites with on-the-ground measurements and predictive analytics, fishermen can find productive fishing grounds efficiently. Space tech also facilitates monitoring of fishing activity and protection of critical ecosystems. While challenges remain, space-based solutions have immense potential to make fishing more targeted, efficient, transparent and sustainable across scales. The fishing industry is only starting to tap into the possibilities opened up by increasingly accessible space technology.
