The AZTI Technology Centre, which has extensive experience in research applied to the fisheries sector, has published a report exploring how new technologies can contribute to more sustainable and efficient fishing.
Digital Transformation of the Fishing Sector
Digital transformation of the fishing sector In the report, AZTI highlights the opportunities that artificial intelligence (AI) offers for the digital transformation of the European fishing fleet, with two main objectives: improving operational efficiency and optimizing the control and traceability of catches.
One of the main areas of innovation is fishing efficiency. The report highlights how the development of predictive algorithms specifically designed for key species in the Bay of Biscay pelagic fleet, such as anchovy and tuna, has proved very useful. These algorithms make it possible to identify the areas with the highest probability of catch, helping to reduce fuel consumption and emissions from vessels.
Machine vision is also becoming a key tool for modernizing the sector. Its ability to automatically identify, classify, and count catches on board vessels facilitates more efficient management of marine resources, promoting responsible and sustainable exploitation of fish stocks.
Innovation to Reduce the Environmental Impact of Fishing
Technological innovation is crucial to reducing the environmental impact of the fishing industry. Key challenges include reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and decarbonizing the fishing fleet.
“As the fishing fleet is very diverse, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Depending on the type of vessel, fishing gear, or fishing area, a detailed assessment of each situation is essential. From there, we can implement adapted strategies that combine solutions such as optimizing fuel consumption, the use of new materials in vessels, alternative energies, and improvements in operational efficiency,” explained Gorka Gabiña, AZTI’s Sustainable Fishing Technologies coordinator.
The report also highlights circular economy strategies as an effective way to reduce marine litter. The recovery of discarded fishing gear and the use of biodegradable or innovative materials in fishing designs are examples of how sustainability can be combined with innovation. Although adequate infrastructure is still needed to implement large-scale marine waste collection and management systems, promoting these solutions can significantly improve the health of the marine environment and create new economic opportunities,” added Gabiña.
Another problem associated with fishing is bycatch, which includes juvenile fish, sharks, sea turtles, birds, and cetaceans. This phenomenon has environmental, economic, and legal consequences, for which AZTI proposes several promising solutions.
From electronic monitoring systems that combine video cameras, sensors, GPS, and data analysis software to provide accurate real-time information on catches to technical innovations in fishing gear or innovative devices for releasing accidentally caught marine wildlife, AZTI makes available very practical and valuable information to promote sustainability in the fishing sector.
The full report is available on the AZTI website.
