Marine Monitor (M2): Generating new data on small-scale fishing activity and compliance

Technology can be a valuable tool for identifying illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing (IUU), but tracking technologies that are required for larger commercial vessels or used to monitor industrial fishing fleets may not be applicable or available for small-scale fisheries. Marine Monitor (M2) is a novel research method that helps fill this critical data gap by repurposing marine radar, a common and familiar technology, to independently track all vessels, regardless of their size. To support coastal communities and local enforcement tasked with monitoring small-scale fishing activity, M2 provides real-time alerts for immediate response and activity summaries for analyzing compliance with regulations over time. This presentation will share findings through case studies and interactive examples from locations where radar specifically monitors small-scale fishing. With over thirty systems deployed across thirteen countries, M2 is an effective and accessible tool for monitoring IUU that includes high resolution tracking data on small-scale fisheries activity and a comprehensive record of compliance.

The primary components of the M2 system are X-band marine radar, a high-definition camera, and computer for processing incoming data. Typically deployed along the coast, the radar system identifies and reports the geolocation of vessels that are active in the adjacent marine area every two to six seconds. These positions are stored by M2 software and formed into track lines as a visual representation of a vessel’s path through space and time. Data provide a continuous record of activity, and behavior characteristics of the vessel, such as speed, are used to identify prohibited activities. The camera is autonomously directed to the position of these vessels to also capture photographs. Data are immediately transferred to the cloud, so that managers can receive notifications of suspicious activity and view data on their own devices. Access to historical data has supported seasonal and year-over-year analyses of activity and revealed small-scale fishing activities and trends within protected and managed areas.

Generating data on small-scale fishing activity contributes to multiple targets under Sustainable Development Goal 14, specifically the needs of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and other coastal communities. Targets 14.a and 14.b call for the transfer of marine technology to developing countries and resources for managing small-scale fisheries. By repurposing common tools, like radar, M2 systems are lower cost than many high tech solutions and can be rapidly deployed without extensive training. In addition to supporting enforcement and combating IUU, M2 data also provide a method for measuring sustainability of local fisheries in these communities, contributing to target indicator 14.7.1. To help catalyze progress toward achieving these targets, this presentation will include examples from SIDS, demonstrating an approachable technology that is field-tested, helping identify and deter IUU, and actively informing management of small-scale fisheries around the world today.