Sweden cooperates with Satlink in trial projects for digital monitoring of ships
The Maritime and Water Authority (SwAM), headquartered in Sweden, has partnered with Madrid, Spain-based satellite telecommunications company Satlink for ship monitoring.
Together, SwAM and Satlink will work on a pilot project that can eventually monitor and manage the Scandinavian fishing fleet, using electronic monitoring (EM) systems for vessels. The goal is to improve SwAM’s utilization of technology applied to operational fishing by developing routines and methods that use the technology.
In a press release, Satlink said the project will “answer questions about how future fisheries control could work once EM is fully implemented and how working with EM (technology, IT services, workflow etc.) needs to work to deliver the desired benefits in terms of compliance with the landing obligation. The EC can also be a way for the fishing industry to show the world at large how fishing is done.”
Satlink’s ship monitoring system has already been put into use in other countries. The company’s technology was approved by the UK Marine Management Organisation in April 2022, enabling the company to sell its units into the UK market.
The project will design and implement Satlink’s electronic monitoring solution, SeaTube, on two trawlers. Both vessels will be equipped with two cameras and hydraulic and proximity sensors to record fishing activity. The devices will transmit live information recorded by the sensors and cameras to SwAM. The system includes an advanced artificial intelligence (AI) system that blurs the faces of fishermen to ensure privacy. Satlink will also apply its edge computing systems to the new monitoring units.
Throughout the trial, SwAM said, the recommendations of various international regulatory bodies will be consulted. The goal is to use the new technology to improve fisheries management and ensure transparent and responsible practices.
Photo courtesy of SwAM