Combating Illegal Fishing in the Pacific Ocean with Unseenlabs’ RF Technology
In the remote High Seas Pockets, where oversight is limited, the battle against illegal fishing is crucial to preserving marine ecosystems and sustaining global fish stocks.
In October and November 2023, Unseenlabs conducted two RF[1] data collection campaigns within the High Seas Pockets, a strategic region in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean. These pockets, located between the exclusive economic zones (EEZs) of the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of Palau, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea, are characterized by intense fishing activity and significant challenges related to illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. The region's isolation and its status as a high seas area make it particularly vulnerable to these illicit activities, with species like skipjack, juvenile bigeye, and yellowfin tunas at risk from non-selective fishing practices.
The campaigns by Unseenlabs aimed to enhance the monitoring and protection of this heavily trafficked and ecologically sensitive region. By leveraging advanced RF detection technology, Unseenlabs identified and tracked uncooperative vessels—those that do not emit AIS signals and thus evade traditional monitoring systems like AIS[2] and VMS[3]. This capability is crucial in high seas areas where oversight is limited, and enforcement is challenging.
Significance and Challenges of the High Seas Pockets
The High Seas Pockets (HSP) are strategically vital maritime areas located in the Western and Central Pacific. These regions are wholly enclosed by the Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) of Pacific Island states, including Palau, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and Micronesia on the western side, and the Cook Islands and French Polynesia on the eastern side. These areas, surrounded by EEZs yet not under the jurisdiction of any single state, present unique challenges for maritime governance.
Governed by international organizations like the United Nations[4] and the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) [5], the HSPs are critical for the conservation and management of highly migratory fish stocks, particularly tuna. However, due to the vastness and remoteness of these areas, combined with limited resources and slow legislative processes, effective monitoring and enforcement are difficult to achieve. This situation creates a fertile ground for illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, which threatens both marine biodiversity and the sustainability of fish stocks. Many vessels operate in this area, using Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs)[6] to catch fish like tuna. While effective for fishing, FADs can cause significant harm to underwater ecosystems.
The Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) monitors vessel activities within these EEZs using Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS). However, the limitations of VMS in this region, such as the infrequent transmission of vessel positions every 4 to 6 hours, leave significant gaps in maritime surveillance. These gaps are particularly problematic in the High Seas Pockets, where illegal activities can easily go unnoticed due to the lack of continuous monitoring.
Unseenlabs RF Data Campaigns Over the High Seas Pockets?
High Seas Pockets Campaign 1: October 2023
From October 23 to 25, 2023, Unseenlabs conducted a targeted RF data collection campaign in the High Seas Pockets. Over three days, 12 RF data collections were completed, each covering an area of 324,000 km2 with four revisits per day.
During this campaign, Unseenlabs detected 73 RF emitter positions that did not match AIS signals, representing 55,8% of the total detections. These dark vessels, potentially involved in illegal activities, were tracked using Unseenlabs' advanced RF fingerprinting technology.
Notably, two ships were successfully tracked during this campaign, showcasing the effectiveness of Unseenlabs' RF detection in monitoring vessels regardless of their AIS status. This capability is crucial for maritime authorities striving to enforce regulations and combat IUU fishing in such complex and remote regions.
High Seas Pockets Campaign 2: November 2023
Following the initial campaign, Unseenlabs executed a second RF data collection campaign from November 20 to 25, 2023. This extended campaign involved 8 RF data collections over six -days, covering a footprint of 300,000 km2. The increased number of collections and revisits per day (ranging from 4 to 6) allowed for a more detailed analysis of vessel activity in the region.
During this campaign, 77 RF emitter positions were detected, with 32.5% uncorrelated with AIS signals (25 RF-only positions), highlighting a significant presence of dark vessels.
Among these, one vessel, designated as RF-1, stood out as a potential dark ship. RF-1 operated without emitting any AIS signals, making it invisible to traditional tracking systems. However, through Unseenlabs' space-based RF detection technology, RF-1 was identified and its movements closely monitored.
Additionally, the campaign identified (correlated with AIS) over 52 carriers, including ships and installations, further illustrating the diversity of maritime activities in the High Seas Pockets. One key highlight was the detection of two vessels (RF-2 & 3) potentially engaged in the fishing season, which were monitored entirely through space-based passive RF detection. This demonstrates Unseenlabs' ability to track vessels solely based on their RF emissions, providing critical insights into maritime activity that would otherwise go undetected by traditional systems.
Providing a Better Insight
The two RF data collection campaigns conducted by Unseenlabs in October and November 2023 were strategically linked to provide a comprehensive understanding of maritime activities in the High Seas Pockets. The initial campaign in October laid the groundwork by identifying key patterns of vessel activity, including the detection of dark vessels that were untraceable by traditional AIS systems. This initial data set was crucial in informing the approach for the November campaign.
The second campaign built upon these insights by expanding the coverage area, increasing the number of data collections, and providing more frequent revisits. The extended campaign allowed for a deeper analysis of vessel behavior and the detection of additional dark vessels, including two vessels potentially engaging in the fishing season. By correlating data from both campaigns, Unseenlabs was able to refine its RF fingerprinting techniques and enhance its ability to monitor vessels that operate outside conventional monitoring systems.
This linked approach not only validated the effectiveness of our RF detection technology but also demonstrated its scalability and adaptability in addressing the evolving challenges of maritime surveillance. By combining the findings from both campaigns, we provided maritime authorities with a more detailed and actionable understanding of the High Seas Pockets, enabling more effective enforcement and protection of these critical international waters. Moreover, our RF data is highly combinable with other sources of intelligence, such as SAR[7], AIS, VMS, etc. This integrated approach allows for a more comprehensive analysis of vessel activities, significantly enhancing the ability to detect and combat unlawful activities at sea. By leveraging multiple intelligence sources, we help authorities achieve a clearer picture of maritime operations, thereby strengthening efforts to protect global maritime security.
Conclusion
During our RF data collection campaigns in the High Seas Pockets in October and November 2023, we detected 208 emitters, with 47% of undeclared emitters for the two campaigns. These dark ships are often engaged in illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. IUU fishing is a severe threat to marine biodiversity and the sustainability of global fish stocks, as it often involves overfishing, targeting endangered species, and using destructive fishing practices. It is also a hotspot for human exploitation, including forced labor and human trafficking aboard fishing vessels.
Our RF detection technology played a crucial role in detecting and monitoring these vessels, providing vital data that traditional security systems like AIS and VMS cannot capture. By monitoring one ship through RF space-based passive detection and correlating RF data with AIS signals to follow four additional ships, we demonstrated the effectiveness of our technology in addressing the challenges of IUU fishing in regions with weak regulatory oversight.
These high seas areas are particularly vulnerable to illegal fishing activities in open waters. The ability to accurately monitor and track vessels in these regions is essential for combating IUU fishing, protecting marine ecosystems, and ensuring the long-term sustainability of ocean resources. Unseenlabs' RF technology provides a powerful solution to these challenges, offering maritime authorities the tools they need to monitor and protect these critical areas effectively.
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References:?
[1] Radio frequency data collection. Our satellites intercept radio frequency signals emitted by ships at sea to provide our customers with a reliable and accurate overview of maritime traffic.
[2] The Automatic Identification System (AIS) is a tracking system used on ships and by vessel traffic services to monitor and exchange information such as the vessel's identity, position, speed, and course. AIS transponders automatically broadcast this data to nearby ships and shore stations, enhancing maritime safety by preventing collisions and aiding in navigation. However, AIS can be deactivated by the crew, easily jammed, or tampered with, making it vulnerable to misuse and reducing its effectiveness in monitoring vessels.
[3] The Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) is a technology used primarily in commercial fishing to allow regulatory organizations to track and monitor the activities of fishing vessels. It plays a crucial role in fisheries management by ensuring compliance with regulations, preventing illegal fishing, and protecting marine resources. VMS systems transmit real-time location data from vessels to shore-based monitoring stations.
[4] The FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations) is an organization created by the United Nations. To address the challenges linked with a sustainable ocean, the Common Oceans Program, launched in 2014, brings together global stakeholders to promote sustainable use of marine resources and biodiversity conservation in areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ), which cover over 60% of the ocean's surface.
[5]The Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) is a regional fisheries management organization dedicated to conserving and managing tuna and other highly migratory fish stocks in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean. Officially known as the Commission for the Conservation and Management of Highly Migratory Fish Stocks in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean, it began operations in late 2005. The WCPFC was established under the WCPF Convention, an international treaty that came into effect on June 19, 2004. The Commission’s secretariat is located in Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia.
[6] A Fish Aggregating Device (FAD) is a man-made structure designed to attract pelagic fish species like marlin, tuna, and mahi-mahi. Typically, FADs consist of buoys or floats anchored to the ocean floor. These devices are increasingly used in both commercial and sport fishing to concentrate fish populations, making them easier to catch. Modern FADs have become a common tool in the fishing industry, aiding in the efficient capture of targeted fish species.
[7] SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) is a radar technology that produces high-resolution images of surfaces. It’s widely used in remote sensing and surveillance.
Project Management Officer | Tech and AI nerd | Agilité
2 个月I have suspicions about the origin country of the mast majority of those ships. Hint a red flag with golden stars... ?? Honeslty.... All those countries should send coast guards to intercept and disable those ships on top of arresting illegal dark fleet captains thanks to your technology. Also... If those ships are indeed from the country I think of. Shaming and naming is a powerful tool against them. Getting enough international backlash after their fleets are identified and arrested worldwide might make them reconsider being so brazen about illegal activities. Problem being unless they are sanctioned and shamed they will keep doing it.