High Technology In Fisheries Protection.

Abstract

In the past few years fisheries protection activities have been greatly assisted by high technology. A few years ago, data integration on a fisheries patrol vessel meant having the Loran C and Radar information both recorded in the same log book. Today the same vessels are fitted with two or three navigation systems and an ARPA Radar, with all data being fed into a computer which electronically displays the position of the radar targets with respect to the territorial limit. The data from these systems is also being used in court, removing any doubt concerning the position of the target vessel. In addition, the patrol vessels are being fed intelligence collected from reconnaissance aircraft and many carry their own information gathering helicopters. Major steps are currently being taken in the area of Fisheries Information Systems. Qubit have been involved directly with this revolution in fisheries protection and this paper will discuss some of these advances.