Locating hidden ships on the sea
In the digital age, satellite technology and artificial intelligence (AI) are playing a pivotal role in transforming the way we monitor and manage marine fishing. One innovative platform that demonstrates this is the "Build a Satellite" interactive, which allows users to simulate building a satellite for the purpose of catching illegal fishing vessels.
This interactive uses data from Xerra's satellites, equipped with synthetic aperture radar (SAR) instruments. SAR technology emits radar waves that bounce off the steel surface of a vessel and return to the satellite, providing a means to detect even those vessels that do not want to be tracked, known as 'dark vessels'. In the "Dark fishing vessels" scenario of the interactive, users analyze SAR data to detect potential dark vessels in a specific part of the Tasman Sea.
Satellite technologies have been a significant help in monitoring and managing the seas, particularly in New Zealand's Exclusive Economic Zone. The Ministry for Primary Industries provides maps of New Zealand fisheries and information about international fisheries management. The New Zealand Government introduced the Quota Management System in 1986 to protect and manage fishing areas and fish stocks.
The power of satellite technology is not limited to large industrial vessels. Programs like Peru’s SISESAT mandate satellite tracking equipment on artisanal fishing vessels, providing real-time positional data which promotes safety, traceability, and compliance with international regulations set by regional fisheries management organizations. Over 1,700 artisanal boats are already tracked, improving transparency and sustainable fishing practices for small-scale fishers.
Another key use of satellite technology is the enforcement of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). Satellite data paired with AI demonstrates that strictly protected MPAs experience significantly reduced or no industrial fishing activity, confirming the effectiveness of spatial restrictions. This satellite monitoring bridges previous observational blind spots and supports legal enforcement against illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing in these zones, helping conserve marine ecosystems.
Satellite technologies also provide critical data for enforcing regulations such as catch limits, fishing effort controls, and spatial restrictions (including MPAs and territorial use rights). They complement electronic logbooks, GPS trackers, and vessel monitoring systems (VMS) to ensure adherence to sustainable quotas and prevent overfishing.
The benefits of satellite technology are far-reaching. Oceans cover 70% of the Earth and over 80% of the Southern Hemisphere. Illegal and/or unregistered fishing vessels are estimated to cost the global economy up to NZ$36 billion per year. By improving transparency and enforcement, satellite technology can help combat this issue and ensure sustainable fishing practices.
One example of a company making strides in this field is Xerra, whose Earth Observation Institute has developed Starboard® Maritime Intelligence, a software platform that helps monitor national waters for activities like illegal fishing and dark vessels. In a Pacific fishing surveillance operation, Xerra was successful in detecting up to 100 dark vessels, as reported in a news article and video.
The New Zealand Space Agency, part of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, is the lead government agency for space policy, regulation, and sector development. The Office of the Prime Minister's Chief Science Advisor reports on commercial fisheries in 2020. The timeline resource provides historical insights into fisheries in New Zealand.
In education, the "Fisheries role-play" activity allows students to assume roles in New Zealand’s fisheries and debate whether there are plenty of fish in the sea. This interactive learning experience not only educates but also encourages critical thinking and debate about sustainable fishing practices.
In conclusion, satellite technology integrated with AI and vessel tracking systems constitutes a powerful toolset for enhancing transparency, enforcing international fisheries laws, protecting marine biodiversity, and promoting responsible fishing practices globally. As we continue to innovate and develop these technologies, we can look forward to a future where our oceans are healthier and more sustainably managed.
[1] Source: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-63568-y [2] Source: https://www.marineinsight.com/marine-safety/perus-sisesat-satellite-tracking-system-for-artisanal-fishing-vessels/ [3] Source: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352491018300255 [4] Source: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/resource/document/satellite-derived-fishing-activity-data-overview-and-applications-fisheries-management
- Environmental science, particularly the study of marine life and ecosystems, can greatly benefit from the use of satellite technology and artificial intelligence (AI) in monitoring and managing fishing activities.
- The integration of technology such as data-and-cloud-computing, satellite imagery, and AI techniques in fishing surveillance operations, like Xerra's Starboard® Maritime Intelligence platform, helps ensure environmental-science objectives, such as safeguarding endangered species and preserving Marine Protected Areas (MPAs).
- As technology advances, sports like basketball, typically associated with land-based competition, may also benefit from using AI and data analysis tools, similar to those incorporated in the "Build a Satellite" interactive, to optimize player performance and enhance strategy planning.
