A Spanish purse seiner has become the world’s first tropical tuna vessel to test a new video-based electronic monitoring system.
Experts from Archipelago Marine Research Ltd. (AZTI), working on behalf of the International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF), outfitted the vessel with the system, which was developed to use when an onboard human observer is not a practical or safe option or to supplement human observers. The system uses an array of sensors to monitor key fishing gear and triggers the video cameras when it detects fishing activity. An onboard control center manages the system and logs the data, along with vessel location, speed and heading information provided by the system’s GPS receiver. Throughout the trip, the system also delivers hourly updates via satellite, reporting vessel position, fishing activity and other relevant information. Once the vessel returns to port, any portion of the logged data can be reviewed to help evaluate fishing activity.
Pevasa, a Spain-based company with a commitment to full observer coverage of its fleet, volunteered purse seiner Playa de Bakio for the project. An expert from AZTI-Tecnalia serves as an onboard observer during the vessel’s trial cruises, and the crew is about to head out for a second fishing trip later this month.
Information from the cruises will be compiled by Archipelago and AZTI following the trials, and will be used to help ISSF keep its commitment to help industry achieve onboard observation of all commercial tuna vessels.
“The success of this monitoring technology means that even in regions where safety is a chief concern, like it is in the Indian Ocean, observer coverage is not optional. This will become a standard for doing business and we’re committed to doing our part to help make it work,” said Borja Soroa, Pevasa managing director.