OnAWA, Global Positioning System PS)

Transcription

1 - jaj jecte 1204 land Earth Station Inmarlat _ 1; Virtual Earth Station"' IVES) SATELLITE-BASED TECHNOLOGY, SYSTEMS TESTING OF FISHING VESSELS - NEWFOUNDLAND REGION (1997) / a aaviir.+0 ri OnAWA, ucean ONTARIO, CANADA.e ee. - eel>. ita A 0E6 demonstrations have enthusiastically supported keeping the equipmentânboard their vessels. Global Positioning System PS) More research is needed to ensure that systems are operational at all times and that the scope and level of detail of data received can be fully optimized to test the benefits of electronic fishing logs. INTRODUCTION s. an DFO Operations ()perm-is): Closure Broadcasts E-mai; Other Date - chants NA.F0 Members NAFO Secretariat Canadian Coast Gard Fa nnternet mtcess Ot er 1Let,..erks Sustainable utilization of marine and freshwater resources has been a challenge for fisheries managers worldwide throughout the last decade. The Canadian fishing industry in partnership with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) has introduced measures designed to protect and conserve fish stocks. These include quotas for targeted species; limits on size of fish; limits on by-catch of non-targeted species; limits on fishing in certain areas and at certain times; and restrictions on the type of gear that can be deployed in a particular area. application of satellite-based hnology for monitoring fishing ' ssels and fishing activity is an j.%e management tool, permitting ey communication and electronic g and reporting. ;.ed are projects that are being ted by Canada and the world's fishing countries to assess the :anon of the technology. li 's h- ef% t h ap F SH 224.A8 S284 c. 2 been limited; d to demonchnology for.en iirple - Deans mented utilizing air time and equipment that had already been purchased but not utilized under the Remote Electronic Monitoring System (REMS). The results indicate that satellite technology can be used on a wide range of vessel sizes as a cost-effective way of maintaining communications between vessel and onshore authorities. It can also be used effectively for monitoring and surveillance purposes. Four fishing vessels were selected to test the system off Canada's East Coast. Skippers involved in the testing and Pêches et Océans Canada Effective management control of these conservation measures, however, o ften requires decision making based on analysis of real-time data and close monitoring and surveillance to ensure adherence. Recognizing the need for accurate, reliable, up-to-date information, the fishing industry has been seeking new tools to help achieve and maintain conservation of fish resources. On the leading edge of technological advancement, satellite-based communication systems provide a realistic tool for achieving conservation goals in fisheries. Canadà1

2 L., AN T F ISH ER IES \ ' r DFO Library / MPO Bibliothèque Land Earth Station Inmarsat - Pacific gbh, - Atlantic FO atabase Canadian Fisheries Information Network (CFIN) - Ottawa - Vancouver Virtual Earth Station'.«(VES) Canadian Supplier DFO Other Data Operations clients Opening/ NAFO Members Closure NAFO Secretariat Broadcasts Canadian Coast Guard Fax/Internet access Other Networks The application of satellite-based technology for monitoring fishing vessels and fishing activity is an effective management tool, permitting two-way communication and electronic tracking and reporting. Reviewed are projects that are being completed by Canada and the world's major fishing countries to assess the application of the technology. lir Canada's involvement has been limited; ever,, a project designed to demonte the potential of the technology for isheries application has been imple- Global (Positioning System (GPS) /, ÎY 11,14., \ OTTAWA, KM 0E6 \,i, 111 mented utilizing air time and equipment that had already been purchased but not utilized under the Remote Electronic Monitoring System (REMS). The results indicate that satellite technology can be used on a wide range of vessel sizes as a cost-effective way of maintaining communications between vessel and onshore authorities. It can also be used effectively for monitoring and surveillance purposes. -BAS SYSTEMS TESTING OF FISHING VESSELS Eetif DUNDLAND REGION (1997) ONTARIO, CANADA. demonstrations have enthusiastically supported keeping the -equipmentmboard their vessels. LE,0 1 UCEA N More research is needed to ensure that systems are operational at all times and that the scope and level of detail of data received can be fully optimized to test the benefits of electronic fishing logs. INTRODUCTION Sustainable utilization of marine and freshwater resources has been a challenge for fisheries managers worldwide throughout the last decade. The Canadian fishing industry in partnership with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) has introduced measures designed to protect and conserve fish stocks. These include quotas for targeted species; limits on size of fish; limits on by-catch of non-targeted species; limits on fishing in certain areas and at certain times; and restrictions on the type of gear that can be deployed in a particular area. Effective management control of these conservation measures, however, often requires decision making based on analysis of real-time data and close monitoring and surveillance to ensure adherence. Recognizing the need for accurate, reliable, up-to-date information, the fishing industry has been seeking new tools to help achieve and maintain conservation of fish resources. On the leading edge of technological advancement, satellite-based communication systems provide a realistic tool for Four fishing vessels were selected to achieving test the system off Canada's East Coast. conservation goals in fisheries. Skippers involved in the testing and Canada Fisheries and Oceans Pêches et Océans Canada Canada

3 SATELLITE-BASED TECHNOLOGY, SYSTEMS TESTING OF FISHING VESSELS - NEWFOUNDLAND REGION SATELLITE-BASED TECHNOLOGY Special equipment is installed on-board a vessel to allow continuous tracking of the vessel's position and speed. This information is then transmitted via worldwide satellite systems to a landbased central processing station where it is processed. Once processed, data in various forms can be transmitted to multiple databases; including those set up by ship owners, various enforcement organizations, and appropriate national or international bodies. A comprehensive communications network permits twoway, remote, mobile phone, fax and computer network access, making electronic tracking and reporting simple. Continuous developments in satellitebased technology now make it possible to integrate global satellite communication systems and worldwide telecommunication systems to link those involved in the fishing industry both on land and at sea, national law enforcement organizations, and international agencies. INTERNATIONAL PROJECTS Most of the world's major fishing countries have been actively involved in research projects aimed at assessing the potential of satellite-based technology in fish harvesting operations. Canada, however, has lagged behind the international Owner's Home Port Nautical Champion Ches Petten Port de Grave Nfld. Date Installed 21/09/ m Shore Base Network Access PC-Acces Provided fishing community in its investigation and application of satellite technology. The European Union has taken a leadership role in the investigation of satellitebased monitoring systems. From July 1994 to December 1995, 13-member countries were involved in a pilot project to test three different commercial satellite-based monitoring systems for use by European Union enforcement agencies. The project involved 350 vessels. Preliminary results indicate that data received was both reliable and sufficiently precise to be used for enforcement purposes. Norway has also conducted several test projects to assess satellite systems for tracking and reporting data. In 1991, r ; three of Norway's research vessels involved in routine research activitie were equipped with the Argos satellit based technology system. Tests show that the system is very reliable in tracking vessels in difficult surroundings. Subsequent to these initial trials, Norway has conducted several other major studies on-board many of the different types of commercial vessels used in the Norwegian fishery. Testing was carried out to judge the feasibility of using the systems for tracking vessel position; reporting catch and fishing activity data; and improving the technology further for use in northern waters. In 1996, a large-scale national project was initiated that continued throughout With promising results in all testing, the Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries has gone on record in support of satellite technology as a tool for managing fishing activity. In 1995, member countries of the Northwest Atlantic Fishing Organizat" (NAFO) committed to a pilot project t judge the reliability of satellite position and communication systems to track fishing vessels for enforcement purposes. Member countries, including Canada, agreed that 35 percent of the vessels from their respective countries fishing in a NAFO regulatory area would transmit the vessel's position once every hour (to the state) using automated means. Owner's Na me Cape Mariner John Hickey ' Home Port O'Donnells, Nfk4 Date Installed 28/ m Shore Base Network Access Facsimile Provided I Responsible Fisheries Summary

4 ob part i of the NAFO agreement, the istry of Fisheries in Iceland com - heed a program in June of 1995 to investigate remote tracking of fishing vessel activity, using some 30 Icelandic fishing vessels. Since the early 1990's, Japan and Russia have also been involved in ongoing satellite research activities to develop real-time position and catch reporting systems for use in implementing conservation based programs. DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES AND OCEANS' FISHING VESSEL MONITOR- ING SYSTEM PROGRANt As a contracting party to the NAFO agreement, Canada set up the Remote Electonic Monitoring System (REMS). Prior to 1996, only three vessels had equipment installed and little data had been collected. This was mainly due to a lack of fishing activity outside the 200- ile limit in the NAFO regulatory area. alizing the potential for satellite-based "technology to implement and monitor domestic fisheries conservation policies, DFO initiated a three-phase Fishing Monitoring System (FVMS) program in Although satellite systems have previously been used on large vessels, the purpose of this new program is to test the technology on a wide range of vessel sizes to determine to what extent the technology can be of benefit to small vessels and to f-urther test the potential for fisheries management. As part of phase one of the program, four commercial fishing vessels of varying sizes were equipped with INMARSET-C units to demonstrate electronic vessel tracking and reporting. owners were trained in the use of various computer software and the many commercial benefits associated with the system. Shore-based fishing operations were also equipped with the appropriate software to allow two-way communication between the vessel and shore. The neces- wner's Fortune Pride Max Forsey Home Port Fortune, Nfld. Date Installed 108/11/ m Shore Base Network Access Facsimile - Provided,Newfoundland Otter Owner's Fishery Products International Home Port South Dildo, Nfld. Date Installed 09/10/ m Shore Base PC-Access Network Access and Provided Graphics sary software for vessel tracking display and two-way communication with vessels was installed at two DFO work stations. A data file extraction process that allows DFO personnel to export vessel position, course and speed data into one of its databases for further analysis was also installed. DFO personnel received training to help them utilize the system effectively. Test results have been very positive. During the trial period, it was concluded that under normal commercial conditions, satellite technology could be a cost-effective means of maintaining reliable communications between oceangoing vessels and land-based authorities; that accurate and reliable reporting of catch statistics could aid in marketing the catch; and that reliable reporting of vessel position could be an aid to safety. In all cases, those involved in phase one activities enthusiastically supported the use of satellite technology and requested that the technology remain on-board. Even with these very positive results, more work is needed. If the technology is to be used as a monitoring and surveillance tool, it will be necessary to have in place a mechanism to ensure that the system is operational at all times, ensuring accurate and reliable data for safety, connol and surveillance purposes. Work is also needed to ensure Atlantic Fisheries

5 4 SATELLITE-BASED TECHNOLOGY, SYSTEMS TESTING OF FISHING VESSELS - NEWFOUNDLAND REGION that the scope and level of detail of data received can be fully optimized. ADVANTAGES OF USING SATELLITE-BASED TECHNOLOGY Satellite-based technology has commercial and fisheries management applications and can be used to improve the overall efficient use of marine and freshwater resources. A) Commercial Advantages owners will be able to monitor skippers, the catch and vessel position. Direct, real-time communication with land-based operations will facilitate marketing efforts and enable messages or prices to be communicated. Communication channels can be used by crew members to access whether reports, news, sports updates, etc. Skippers will be able to maintain vessel fish inventories. Satellite technology can contribute to the advancement of safety systems for vessel crews. Since regular position reports would be required, missed reports could be investigated. Accurate information on the missing vessel and other vessels in the area would help with any needed rescue efforts. Data collected on fishing activities such as fuel consumption could be analyzed, leading to recommendations, for example, on how to optimize fuel. B) Fisheries Management Advantages Satellite-based technology can be used with traditional surveillance methods to enhance fisheries enforcement and control. Integration of satellite communications with the radar of airborne patrols helps extend the area that can be surveyed in a single flight, reducing person hours and operational costs. Data can be used to identify vessels that have reached their quota of fish. Reporting can be tailored to suit any type of monitoring required. Routine monitoring can be completed with several reports per day or, if closer monitoring of a vessel is needed, reporting can be required more often. Statistical data can be used to make decisions regarding the opening and closing of fishing areas. The number of on-board observers can be reduced. Tracking of foreign vessels can provide accurate and real-time data on the fishing activities of foreign fishers. The information transmitted via satellite can be used to verify logbook data on amount, size and composition of the catch. ENERGY CONSERVATION AIDED BY SATELLITE- BASED TECHNOLOGY By accurately tracking vessels, enforcement authorities can determine if and when closer surveillance is needed, leading to more effective use of surveillance vessels and air patrols. This will result in a substantial reduction in fuel consumption and subsequent savings in related fuel costs. Accurate information on fishing activities and fuel consumption can be analyzed to determine the fuel efficiency of the vessel and to make decisions on how best to optimize energy use in fishing operations. Energy conservation is in line with Canada's efforts to establish an international energy agency that investigates and implements programs to optimize energy use in fish harvesting operations. CONCLUSION Canada uses a variety of enforcemen tools including on-board observers, air and water patrols, boarding inspectors, and on-shore dockside monitoring of landings. The use of satellite-based technology to complement these traditional methods of enforcing conservation policies will increase effective control of fisheries and reduce future costs. Conservation of fish resources is advantageous to those who pursue the fi shery, ensuring a sustainable and economically viable industry. Contacts Andrew Duthie Chief, Responsible Fishing Operations Fisheries and Oceans Canada 200 Kent St., Station Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0E6 Tel: (613) Fax: (613) Gerry Brothers Coordinator, Conservation Technology Fisheries and Oceans Canada Newfoundland Region P.O. Box 5667 St. John's, Newfoundland AlC 5X1 Tel: (709) Fax: (709) Prepared by: Aquaprojects Inc. St. John's, Newfoundland C Minister of Public Works and Government Services DFO/5666 Cat. No. Fs ISBN X Printed on recycled paper Responsible Fisheries Summary

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