Abstract
AbstractSince the beginning of the 21st century, electronic monitoring (EM) has emerged as a cost‐efficient supplement to existing catch monitoring programmes in fisheries. An EM system consists of various activity sensors and cameras positioned on vessels to remotely record fishing activity and catches. The first objective of this review was to describe the state of play of EM in fisheries worldwide and to present the insights gained on this technology based on 100 EM trials and 12 fully implemented programmes. Despite its advantages, and its global use for monitoring, progresses in implementation in some important fishing regions are slow. Within this context, the second objective was to discuss more specifically the European experiences gained through 16 trials. Findings show that the three major benefits of EM were as follows: (a) cost‐efficiency, (b) the potential to provide more representative coverage of the fleet than any observer programme and (c) the enhanced registration of fishing activity and location. Electronic monitoring can incentivize better compliance and discard reduction, but the fishing managers and industry are often reluctant to its uptake. Improved understanding of the fisher's concerns, for example intrusion of privacy, liability and costs, and better exploration of EM benefits, for example increased traceability, sustainability claims and market access, may enhance implementation on a larger scale. In conclusion, EM as a monitoring tool embodies various solid strengths that are not diminished by its weaknesses. Electronic monitoring has the opportunity to be a powerful tool in the future monitoring of fisheries, particularly when integrated within existing monitoring programmes.
Highlights
Fishing has largely been an unregulated industry, with fishers operating as independent explorers of the sea (Johnsen, Holm, Sinclair, & Bavington, 2009; Stevenson & Oxman, 1974)
The three major benefits of electronic monitoring (EM) perceived in the European trials were as follows: (a) cost‐efficiency, (b) the potential of EM to provide much wider coverage of the fleet than any observer programme will likely achieve and (c) EM registration of fishing activity and position of much greater detail
| 181 coverage of the fleet enabling data collection from less abundant species or specific fisheries, for example long‐distance or small‐ scale fisheries, which are notably difficult to cover with a traditional observer programme
Summary
Fishing has largely been an unregulated industry, with fishers operating as independent explorers of the sea (Johnsen, Holm, Sinclair, & Bavington, 2009; Stevenson & Oxman, 1974). It was primarily governed by affective relations, often in local fishing com‐ munities (Johnsen et al, 2009). Fisheries‐depend‐ ent data collection has increased, as more data are needed to assess fish stocks, and to monitor and regulate the environmental impact of fishing.
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