Report

The Potential Use of AIS as a Fisheries Monitoring Tool

The FISH-i Africa Task Force was formed in 2012, with the aim to improve cooperation, information and intelligence sharing to take enforcement actions against illegal fishing operators. To date the Task Force members have acted against several notorious illegal fishing operators resulting in over three million dollars collected in fines. The identification of illegal fishing vessels for the FISH-i Africa Task Force has been achieved in part through technical support utilizing the automatic identification system (AIS). To better understand the potential and challenges of using AIS as part of their monitoring, control and surveillance (MCS) operations, the FISH-i Africa Task Force has compiled information on the use, benefits and shortcomings of AIS.

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What is AIS?

AISs are very high frequency (VHF) radio-based tools that support safe navigation and collision avoidance by automatically transferring information about the ship to other ships and coastal authorities. More recently AIS has been identified as a useful tool to contribute to fisheries enforcement efforts. Although fishing vessels are exempted from an International Maritime Organization (IMO) requirement that vessels above 300gt and engaged in international voyages use AIS, some flag and coastal States do mandate the usage of AIS by fishing vessels flying their flag or operating in their waters. In addition, large numbers of fishing vessels use AIS voluntarily as an aid to navigation, and as an operational and safety tool.

AIS receivers have been placed on low-earth orbit satellites since 2008, which has greatly increased coverage and means that AIS signals can be detected from vessels operating beyond the 40nm range of land-based AIS receivers. There are some technological limitations to AIS, however providers are continuously taking steps to improve AIS performance, including the recent launch of more and improved satellites. All of these factors have contributed to increasing the utility of AIS as a fisheries monitoring tool.

Like any other fisheries monitoring tool, AIS has advantages and disadvantages, and is most effective when used in combination with other approaches. AIS is the least expensive vessel monitoring system capable of both near shore and high seas monitoring, and has the benefit of transparency, as data is unencrypted and can be received by anyone with the appropriate equipment. However, software and analytical capacity is required to translate raw AIS data into usable intelligence and is an integral cost of using AIS.

AIS units are more susceptible to tampering than some other types of vessel tracking technology. AIS data is also subject to prosecutorial limitations – it generally cannot be used as the sole piece of evidence to prosecute acts of illegal fishing, although it has successfully been used in proceedings with less strict evidentiary requirements, such as out of court settlements. However, AIS can be used very effectively in combination with other approaches – for example, to target the deployment of enforcement assets such as coastguard vessels and planes, and to provide intelligence to target and inform dockside inspections.

The strengths and weaknesses of AIS make it a suitable tool to complement the use of VMS (vessel monitoring systems). VMS are mandated by several flag states, coastal states and several regional fisheries management organisations (RFMOs). Whilst VMS units are more difficult to tamper with compared to AIS, they also have limitations, including lack of transparency and less continuous reporting (data is often reported every 1-4 hours). Use of both AIS and VMS transponders can therefore increase transparency and reliability and greatly reduce the likelihood of a vessel going dark due to actual or claimed system malfunction.

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Key recommendations

To maximise the impact of AIS as a tool to reduce illicit fishing activities, coastal, flag and port States are recommended to:

• Maximise AIS use by fishing vessels – increase the number of fishing vessels transmitting AIS signals, by requiring AIS use through, where possible, regionally harmonised, coastal, flag and port State measures (including as a licensing and registration requirement) and RFMO conservation and management measures.

• Ensure access to AIS data – develop capacity and support to analyse AIS data, combining data from shore-based and satellite receivers supported by expert analysis of the data.

• Utilise AIS analysis for MCS – wherever possible support MCS operations and infraction investigations and prosecutions with AIS data and analysis.