The Norwegian Seafood Research Fund (FHF) is announcing NoK10 million funding for a project enabling fishermen to share their own data with researchers. The goal is to use information from echo sounders, sonar and catch reports for better monitoring of fish stocks and more secure quota setting.
‘Fishermen collect enormous amounts of data when they are at sea – from echo sounders, sonar and catch reports. That information can be invaluable for research,’ said FHF’s director of research, Rita Naustvik.
Climate change is causing fish stocks to move faster than research can keep up with them. At the same time, funding for marine research is under pressure.
‘We have to use the data that is already on board the boats,’ she said.
The call for proposals is for up to NoK10 million for a project that will develop a digital system through which the fishing fleet can easily share its data.
‘When everyone shares, we see the whole picture. A fisherman sees one fjord, but together we can see the entire coast,’ Rita Naustvik said.
‘Fishermen have long wanted to contribute more directly to research. Now, with artificial intelligence and new computer technology, we can finally make it happen,’ said FHF’s director Ståle Walderhaug.
He believes that by combining data from sonar, catch reporting and vessel tracking into one solution, researchers can follow the movements of fish almost in real time.
‘This provides better stock assessments, less uncertainty in quota setting – and a safer decision-making basis for both industry and management.’
