The use of satellite-based SAR in support of fisheries enforcement applications

Abstract

Satellite-based synthetic aperture radar (SAR) may provide a unique surveillance and monitoring capability to augment existing fisheries aircraft and patrol vessel reconnaissance methods. Moreover, satellite-based SAR may prove to be an effective tool to observe the effects of manmade land disturbances to fisheries habitat. Three experiments were undertaken to assess the utility of satellite-based SAR in fisheries enforcement applications. One experiment involved the detection of fishing vessels and their wakes. Undersea acoustic measurements were made to study the effect of the blended SAR and acoustic signature data on detection and tracking of ships. A second experiment assessed the capability of SAR to detect large-scale pelagic driftnets. A third experiment involved SAR observations of sensitive salmon spawning and nursery habitat in the Pacific Northwest.