Fishing is an important economic activity that should be regulated to avoid overfishing. Over the past few years, fishing has been done uncontrollably, leading to a significant reduction in the number of fish.
Technology has ignited a glimmer of hope to hope for a sustainable marine ecosystem because it allows for proper management of fishing by the relevant authorities. Read along for the top five technological fishing tricks.
Smart weighing systems at the sea
Massive fishing vessel fitted with mechanical weighing scales that measure the amount of fish caught at every particular time. It is impracticable to measure the exact amount of fish caught because the vessel is frequently in motion, but before recording the weight, the force from the weight is deducted.
The information is remitted to the port and fish market via satellite for recording because the fishermen can spend weeks in the sea. To survive in such silent environments, they must know how to pair AirPods because, despite the silence, music heals the soul.
The technology is expensive but is a worthy investment because the data recorded is crucial for calculating marine life. Scientists compare the weight of fish every month to determine the amount of fish available. These records are also vital when formulating laws that govern fishing.
Drones
Over 3.5 people rely on the blue economy for food and survival because it employs thousands of men and women. This calls for severe tracking and monitoring to protect this critical ecosystem. The use of drones has played a key role in aerial surveillance of the fishing territories often invaded by unlicensed fishermen. Fishers also use drones to check the state of their fishing nets if it has to trap any fish or not.
Before going on a fishing expedition, fishers can use drones to assess the fish stock state. It is a cheaper alternative compared to sending a vessel to conduct the survey physically. There are three types of drones used for fishing activities which are Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV), and Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (UUV).
Drones have improved fishing by helping combat illegal fishers. When they are spotted, the authorities can track the illegal fishermen using drones and arrest them hence eliminating illegal fishing.
Onboard survey cameras and electronic monitoring
Electronic monitoring devices are made of a video photography system. It has an inbuilt sensor that can detect any fishing activity and send photos to the command center using a satellite. The electronic monitor does not accept any external content. This is a safety feature that protects the survey camera from manipulation.
The onboard survey system is beneficial for marine scientists conducting research on any endangered species. It is essential to position the survey cameras in different positions to enable you to get in debt information about the species being studied. Navy offices also use it to protect territories from foreign invasions.
Moreover, the clips from the onboard survey cameras play a critical role in creating awareness of the importance of fish. When people see the beauty of the endangered species and other beautiful marine creatures, they might change their perceptions and be champions of marine life.
The fisheries monitoring center
When setting up a fisheries monitoring center, technology is the most significant consideration because such a crucial center needs a strong communication line. The monitoring center is in charge of gathering and storing information. The stations are controlled by a team of experts for the smooth delivery of services.
Fisheries monitoring centers play a huge role in the success of the fishing department. The information from this institution is used for research and formulation of laws. The center must have a modern database center that can store voluminous da. It should also have good software to manage data and aid in the running of the department.
Besides the center’s leadership, it should also have a multi-agency team to help run the operations.
Storage fridges
The biggest problem that fishing had faced for several years is the lack of proper storage facilities to store the fish. Fish are very perishable, and in the past, fishers relied on deplorable storage facilities that led to huge losses. The fish was kept in layers of ice or preserved using salt.
The storage facilities can store a lot of fish for several weeks without the fish getting stale. All the massive fishing vessels are fitted with enormous storage fridges that can accommodate tons of fish. This allows the fishermen to spend more time in the sea without any worries.
Conclusion
Fishing is a very delicate sector, and more emphasis needs to be laid on the marine life protection campaigns. Embracing technology has played a crucial role in this fight with the different drives on security and research that are possible thanks to technology. However, more needs to be done to protect marine life. It is a very delicate ecosystem that requires all of us to rise to the occasion.