Unseenlabs' RF Technology Reveals Hidden IUU Fishing Threats in the South Atlantic Ocean
"When the sea seems empty, Unseenlabs' technology reveals the unseen."
From November 7, 2023 to March 30, 2024, Unseenlabs carried out several RF data collections during 60 days in the South Georgia & South Sandwich Islands’ EEZ. During this time, we successfully detected and tracked multiple dark vessels[1] in the region. This area, characterized by several Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and a British marine and fisheries research station[2], maintains its marine ecosystems in good condition. However, it can become a hotspot for IUU fishing, as some restrictions are seasonal and the island is only inhabited during a short period in summer.
But our satellites are always here to watch the area…
In this use case, we showed how Unseenlabs' advanced space-based RF detection technology not only facilitated the detection but also enabled the tracking of these dark vessels potentially engaging in IUU fishing within South Georgia & South Sandwich Islands’ EEZ. This operation highlights the value of our innovative space technology for governments and NGOs, providing them with a comprehensive overview of maritime traffic. Our RF data collection campaign underscores Unseenlabs' pivotal role in enhancing Maritime Domain Awareness and combating illegal activities at sea, thereby protecting our oceans from threats such as overfishing, IUU fishing, and ocean dumping.
Context
South Georgia, a part of the British Overseas Territory of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, is located in the South Atlantic Ocean, approximately 1,400 kilometers east of the Falkland Islands. Although uninhabited year-round, it has a summer-only settlement at Grytviken, frequently visited by cruise ships. The island supports diverse wildlife, including penguins, albatrosses, seals, whales, and petrels.
In 2012, the Government of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands?(GSGSSI) established a Marine Protected Area (MPA) around South Georgia, covering 1.24 million square kilometers. The MPA includes over 20,000 square kilometers of no-take zones and various protection measures, safeguarding 92% of the sea floor and prohibiting all fishing within 12 nautical miles of South Georgia and 3 nautical miles of the South Sandwich Islands.
The South Georgia EEZ has some of the world's best-managed fisheries. The Government oversees all commercial fishing and employs a Fisheries Patrol Vessel year-round to ensure compliance and prevent illegal fishing. Key achievements include the 2010 certification of the mackerel icefish fishery as sustainable by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) and the 2018 extension of toothfish fishery licenses from two to four years.
Illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing is a threat to local biodiversity. The Government addresses this with enhanced MPA regulations, broader no-take zones, and seasonal restrictions. Year-round patrols and satellite surveillance have significantly reduced IUU fishing.
A Hotspot for Uncooperative Ship Activit
Over a span of 60 days, our satellites conducted an in-depth RF data collection campaign over the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of the South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands. This operation took place during the fall and winter months, a time when South Georgia is uninhabited. Despite the government's deployment of a Fisheries Patrol Vessel year-round to ensure compliance and prevent illegal fishing, our analysis revealed a significant number of undeclared maritime activities.
During this campaign, we carried out 47 distinct RF data collection missions, each covering an area of approximately 300,000 square kilometers. Throughout these missions, we detected and geolocated 113 RF positions. Remarkably, 57.5% of the ships' emitters we intercepted were RF-only, meaning they were invisible to Automatic Identification System (AIS) monitoring. This translates to 65 emitters that were detected and geolocated exclusively through our advanced RF technology, without any corresponding AIS data. These RF-only signals represent vessels that are only detectable through Unseenlabs' capabilities.
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The data we collected provided invaluable insights into the presence and behavior of vessels operating without AIS signals. By geolocating these RF-only emitters, we were able to build a comprehensive picture of maritime activity within the EEZ, identifying patterns and hotspots of potential illegal operations. Specifically, we focused on three instances of dark ship behavior at different times of the year. These vessels, operating with their AIS transponders off, were possibly engaging in illegal fishing activities within the zone.
Conclusion
Unseenlabs' 60-day RF data collection campaign in the South Georgia & South Sandwich Islands’ EEZ has yielded invaluable insights into combating illegal fishing activities. Despite the region's Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and continuous oversight by a Fisheries Patrol Vessel, our advanced RF detection technology detected and geolocated 113 RF positions, with 57.5% of these being RF-only emissions—indicating vessels operating without AIS signals.
This capability exposed significant gaps in traditional maritime surveillance, revealing 65 vessels potentially engaged in illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing within the EEZ. Such activities threaten the sustainability of marine biodiversity and fisheries, despite stringent management measures.
Our technology not only identifies these dark vessels but also provides accurate geolocation data crucial for targeted enforcement actions. By empowering governments and NGOs with comprehensive Maritime Domain Awareness, we enable proactive measures against IUU fishing, including timely patrols, inspections, and regulatory enforcement.
The outcomes of this campaign underscore Unseenlabs' commitment to advancing global efforts in marine conservation and sustainability. Our innovative approach to RF detection reaffirms the pivotal role of space technology advancements in safeguarding our oceans, ensuring they remain viable and healthy ecosystems for future generations.
[1] Dark vessels, or dark ships, are ships that are not equipped with AIS system or manipulate it to evade traditional surveillance systems to become invisible.
[2] King Edward Point is primarily a marine and fisheries research station. Owned by the Government of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands?(GSGSSI) and operated by British Antarctic Survey (BAS)?this facility provides critical research to support the management of the South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands Marine Protected Area and the sustainable fisheries that are licensed by GSGSSI in this important location in the Southern Ocean.
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