Challenges and Solutions in Quantifying Fishing Effort for Passive Gear

Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF) contribute an estimated 40% of the global fish catch—an essential share that nearly matches the contribution of Large-Scale Fisheries (LSF) or industrial fishing. It is estimated that SSF involves approx. 90% of fishing vessels. However, unlike LSF, which benefits from established monitoring methods, SSF faces unique challenges with existing monitoring systems. Traditional Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS), primarily designed for LSF, are not well-suited to the passive fishing gears commonly used in SSF, such as gillnets, longlines, and pots. While VMS technologies monitor vessel position, speed, and movement, they do not capture critical data like the actual “soaking time” of passive fishing gear. Instead, VMS data, in the case of passive gear usage, logs the journey to and from fishing grounds.

 

To address this issue, we propose the NetSenz sensor by BlueTraker—a robust sensor device specifically designed for passive gears. This tag, which is permanently attached to the gear with a visible ID mark, automatically detects and transmits the gear's soaking time. It can be mounted directly on nets, pots, and longlines and captures soaking time across different water depths with precision down to the meter. The data, including accurate gear deployment and retrieval coordinates, is automatically transmitted through wireless communication.

 

Monitoring the fishing effort of passive gears in coastal regions presents a complex challenge that requires effective management, reliable data collection, and financial resources. Field tests of NetSenz have shown reliable results, offering regulators valuable insights into actual fishing operations. NetSenz is perfectly suited to enhance sustainable fisheries management practices by providing accurate and timely data on passive gear use.