The industry's recognized authority for design, engineering and application of equipment and services in the global ocean community
Issue link: http://sea-technology.epubxp.com/i/586584
www.sea-technology.com October 2015 / st 39 T he introduction and use of new technologies within commercial fsheries has arguably, over recent years, changed the future roadmap of one of the oldest and most traditional industries world- wide. From small scale, artisanal fshermen whose local communities depend on the sea for sur- vival to commercial trawler feets landing tonnes of fsh daily for market, modern technology is signifcantly transforming fshing methods and improving effciency within a global industry estimated to be worth in ex- cess of $136 billion annually, according to fshery ex- ports data for 2013. In 2012, the total number of fshing vessels in the world was estimated to be approximately 4.72 million, and 3.2 million of those (68 percent) were considered to be operating in marine waters, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Na- tions. However, while the development of innovative technology is the way for- ward for global fsheries monitoring, it must also be an interactive, collab- orative and accessible tool that brings together three key parties: fshermen, authorities, and marine scientists or conservationists. From apps and cloud- based data communications to RFID, remote sensors and vessel tracking systems, technology must create an all-encompassing solution for fully documented and sustainable fsheries management. This is the only way to ensure the survival, growth and long- term future of a country or region's com- mercial activities within the global fshing industry. Developing Solutions SuccorfshM2M has been the driving force behind new technology development for monitoring purposes within international fsheries. Over the past fve years, the com- pany has designed and delivered the most comprehensive vessel monitoring systems (VMS), data collection tools and marine management products that incorporate cutting-edge technology and offer industry cost-effective, af- fordable solutions. SuccorfshM2M hardware, software and data communication systems are now used by fshermen, governments, NGOs and international marine au- thorities to improve fshing activity, apply legislation and fsheries policy, as well as provide a highly accurate vessel tracking and data collection tool for suc- cessful marine management. Since 2010, SuccorfshM2M's special- ly adapted iVMS (inshore vessel moni- toring system) has been successfully adopted by industry. It initially provided fshermen, for the frst time ever, access to high-frequency reporting (under one minute), as well as ownership of personal fshing activity data. This was revolutionary, and as GPRS technology dramatically improved, we made a once-expensive data collection method signif- cantly cheaper for fshermen working up to 20 mi. out from shore. SuccorfshM2M followed that with the development of solar- and low-powered VMS solutions for vessels that do not have a regulated power supply. Again, this was groundbreaking for an industry that, depending upon location or fshing activity, still used traditional methods in part. It provided an all-encompassing and, with the intro- duction of dual Iridium satellite and GPRS/GSM mobile technologies into our systems, truly global solu- tion. More recently, we have incorporated Wi-Fi and Blue- tooth technologies, and are developing app software to cre- ate future-proof solutions for an ever-changing industry. Developing Technology for International Fisheries Monitoring VMS, Data Collection and Marine Management Solutions for Fisheries By Tom Rossiter The SuccorfshM2M SC2-iVMS (vessel moni- toring system).