Onboard security and the fight against illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing (IUU) make the integration of the artisanal fleet into the Peruvian vessel monitoring system necessary. However, its implementation has been delayed due to difficulties in generating a larger offer of satellite technology that makes this service available to all men and women fishers. SONAPESCAL and ARTISONAL announce a partnership to conduct a pilot project to show the viability of low-cost tracking technology.
Lima, Peru. – The National Artisanal Fishing Society (SONAPESCAL) and Artisonal, a company dedicated to the innovation of fishing technologies, signed a collaboration agreement on May 5, 2023, to launch a pilot project evaluating the viability of implementing low-cost satellite tracking devices in artisanal squid and mahi-mahi fisheries.
The seven northern Peruvian associations that comprise Sonapescal and are dedicated to fishing resources such as giant squid (Dosidicus gigas) and mahi-mahi (Coryphaena hippurus) are committed to the search for technological alternatives for vessel satellite monitoring, a prevalent need to ensure the safety of artisanal fishers and increase levels of monitoring, control, and surveillance.
"We, the artisanal shipowners, have the desire to install satellite devices; however, the government should be concerned with providing competitive options. Today, there are only two authorized providers, which means that these devices are exorbitantly priced and out of reach for artisanal fishers", said Elsa Vega, President of SONAPESCAL. "With this project, we want to show that we can also contribute to the search for alternatives to satellite monitoring," she explained.
"In Peru, the Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) was born to control the activity of industrial fleets such as anchovy, but not for artisanal fleets," explained Eloy Aroni, Artisonal's representative. "This satellite tracking technology must be adapted to the reality of distance-water artisanal fishers, with unstable economic income and fishing trips up to 800 miles from the coast."
Because captures of squid and mahi-mahi fisheries often occur hundreds of miles off the shore, safety at sea is a critical factor to consider. In this context, satellite equipment gives security to fishermen engaged in these activities and increases their likelihood of returning home safely after a lengthy fishing excursion in the open ocean.
It is important to note that existing VMS satellites are incapable of allowing vessels to view one another due to the origin of the satellites. On high seas, however, the boats must communicate their positions in order to prevent collisions and make sure that they can be quickly found in the case of an accident. Because of this, the satellite technology used by this fleet must not only be affordable and prevent illegal fishing but also enable the reduction of accidents, hence raising maritime safety.
The pilot project will take place on SONAPESCAL's distance-water artisanal vessels, where Orbcomm's satellite device will be tested. In addition, training in the use of satellite technologies will be established for shipowners and captains.
"When we look at global fishing effort maps, we often see empty areas, giving the impression that there is no fishing." However, artisanal and small-scale fleets operate in this area. However, without a satellite tracking system, they become invisible to the rest of the globe," said Andrew Loretta, Orbcomm's Director of Maritime Business Development. "After recognizing this technological gap, we decided to create a specific satellite device for these artisanal fisheries," he added.
Along these lines, the signatories stated during the agreement signing that the Ministry of Production (PRODUCE) will begin reviewing its protocols to allow the entrance of new satellite providers that offer products suited to the realities of Peruvian artisanal fishing. Accessible and low-cost technology is the ideal ally for the government and fishers in improving artisanal fisheries management.
Artisanal Press and Communications