Catch the Future: AI and Smart Chips Empower European Fishermen and Safeguard Oceanic Life
EU‑Backed Initiative to Introduce AI‑Powered Catch Scanners on Norwegian Fishing Vessels
The European Commission has funded a project that plans to equip fishing boats with artificial‑intelligence
catch scanners capable of
identifying fish species, measuring size and calculating weight. The objective is to help fishermen
adhering to stringent EU regulations while safeguarding fish stocks for the future.
Båtsfjord: Fishing Against the Elements
Båtsfjord lies deep in Norway’s northern reaches, well north of the Arctic Circle, and hosts a handful of
thousands of residents. Nevertheless, it serves as a crucial regional hub for the fishing industry. Local
owner Tommy Jonassen sails between two brutal Arctic squalls, hoping to strike a productive haul in
those icy, unpredictable waters.
“It’s a tough job,” Jonassen explains. “Autumn and winter bring fickle weather,
extreme cold, and often rough seas. We’ll work whenever there’s fish—day or night,
otherwise it’s the same for us.”
The Net and the Risks
Jonassen’s vessel relies on a large trawl net that can bring in up to thirty tonnes a day, with cod
generally fetching the highest prices. Yet the net gathers a diverse mix of species, and any unwanted
fish cannot simply be discarded back into the sea. Every species must be weighed and logged by
hand.
Ship inspectors can strike at any time, and inaccurate reporting can lead to severe penalties—high
fines, reduced quotas, or even confiscation of the entire catch. Jonassen is keenly aware of these risks:
“Because Norwegian fisheries are heavily regulated, we must keep exact records. A mistake could mean
the government seizes our harvest, rendering all our hard work futile.”
Why Knowledge Matters
Addressing the climate and biodiversity crises demands a deeper understanding of oceanic dynamics. As
Rachel Tiller, Chief Scientist at SINTEF Ocean in Trondheim, emphasizes, gaining insight into what happens
under the waves is essential to solving global environmental challenges.
Counting the catch
AI‑Powered Fish Crew: Accurate Catch Counting in Real Time
Why Precision Matters
Correctly measuring fish catch volumes is crucial for sustaining marine ecosystems and preventing over‑fishing. Traditional counting methods—based on manual container tallies—often lead to under‑reporting, which in turn can inflate actual harvests and hurt stock health.
Innovation on Europe’s Vessels
Emerging on board a new European boat, a catch scanner uses artificial intelligence to automatically identify species, estimate size and weight as fish flow along a conveyor belt. The goal is to replace subjective counting with fully automated, instant data collection.
Key Advantages
- Real‑time species identification
- Immediate weight estimation per fish
- Reduced manual labor and human error
- Enhanced regulatory compliance for sustainable fishing
Project Leadership
The scanner is part of EveryFish, a European research initiative driven by Rachel Tiller, Chief Scientist at SINTEF Ocean in Trondheim. Tiller emphasizes that accurate data is essential for tackling climate and biodiversity crises:
“We must gather trustworthy ocean data to address multiple global challenges.”
Engineering Challenges
To be truly effective, the system must remain reliable in harsh maritime conditions—rocking decks, cold, salty environments. Engineers collaborate closely with seasoned fishers to test and refine:
- Open‑source AI models for species recognition
- Robust weight‑estimation algorithms
- Seamless integration with existing vessel hardware
Industry Collaboration
Research scientist Elling Ruud Øye highlights the importance of feedback loops:
“Without real‑world input from vessels, we risk developing a system that doesn’t meet actual needs.”
Fishers are increasingly skeptical of onboard camera systems, but ongoing consultations aim to build trust and ensure functionality aligns with day‑to‑day operations.
Small scale, hi-tech
Revolutionizing Small‑Scale Fisheries with Computer Vision
Tracking Catch with Smart Cameras
Researchers are training computer vision algorithms to detect and quantify individual fish in dense piles. By installing affordable CCTV cameras—or even using smartphones—artisanal and hobbyist fishers could quickly scan their haul without extensive manual sorting.
Robotic Arms Take Over the Hard Work
Jonatan Sjølund Dyrstad, a scientist at SINTEF Ocean, envisions robotic manipulators that gather and sort fish automatically. “The fishing sector relies heavily on manual labor, which strains shoulders and backs,” he explains. “A vision‑enabled robot could relieve fishermen from repetitive tasks by precisely interpreting the environment.”
Enforcing Rules from the Deck
- Onboard cameras are already part of anti‑illegal fishing protocols in places like the Seychelles.
- In Europe, such surveillance must satisfy stringent privacy and data protection regulations.
“Many fishers are rightly wary of cameras on their vessels,” says Rachel Tiller of SINTEF. “I’d feel the same if my boss installed a camera in my office. We’re therefore developing automatic blurring techniques that mask human identities, ensuring GDPR compliance while respecting personal space.”
EU Mandates for High‑Risk Vessels
The European Union will require surveillance cameras on high‑risk boats and mandatory satellite tracking on all fishing vessels. These systems give the European Fisheries Control Agency (EFCA) real‑time visibility into fishing activities.
EFCA’s Reaction in Vigo
“The signal goes to satellite, then down to our systems. On the monitor, we can pinpoint each vessel,” says Lina Lendzbergiene, EFCA Coordinator. “We can track how long a vessel spends in a particular location and coordinate inspections accordingly.”
Human Insight Still Matters
While technology streamlines many steps, the expertise of qualified fishery inspectors remains crucial. As SEAN EFCA’s surveillance specialist, Sven Tahon, reminds us, the final assessment of compliance must still involve a professional’s judgment.
Closing the net on illegal fishing
Enhanced Surveillance of Fisheries with Advanced Tracking Technology
As more fishing vessels are outfitted with real‑time tracking systems, maritime control centres will receive a considerably larger flow of data. To distill this wealth of information, computer algorithms are being employed to scan and flag any activities that warrant closer inspection.
Automated Monitoring in Protecting Reserved Areas
Control Operations Administrator Carlos Couce of EFCA explains that certain automatic tools have already been implemented. These tools focus on critical zones, such as the Jabuka/Pomo Pit in the Adriatic Sea, which is monitored for illegal fishing in the Mediterranean. When a vessel enters this designated area with a suspicious speed or pattern, the system immediately triggers an alert or warning.
- Tracking vessels crossing restricted boundaries.
- Comparing recorded speeds with expected fishing or navigation profiles.
- Generating real‑time notifications to control officers.
Balancing Digital Innovations with Traditional Oversight
While digital tools like satellite cameras and AI‑driven analytics bring unprecedented insights, experts caution that they are not infallible. The European Union’s effort to tighten regulatory oversight blends these cutting‑edge technologies with on‑board inspections and harbour checks.
Sven Tahon, Surveillance Technologies Specialist Officer at EFCA, likens the incoming data influx to a “tsunami.” He stresses the importance of selecting appropriate technologies that translate raw information into actionable intelligence. Though advances such as artificial intelligence and automated behavioural analysis are promising, he emphasizes the irreplaceable value of seasoned fishery inspectors.
Benefits for Fishers and Conservationists
For those who spend their days at sea, the new digital systems mean:
- Fewer administrative paperwork and faster compliance reporting.
- Enhanced clarity on when and where fishing activities are permitted.
- Tools that help maintain sustainable harvest levels without compromising marine ecosystems.
Meanwhile, scientific researchers gain access to finer data granularity, aiding the design of more effective marine protection strategies.
Watch the Full Episode
Commander in Digital Fisheries Monitoring provides a deeper dive into the subject in a detailed video presentation.
