Posted June 26, 2017 09:16:26 <\/p>\n
Australian scientists have developed world-first surveillance technology to combat the global illegal fishing trade. <\/p>\n
Source: CSIRO <\/p>\n
The CSIRO, in collaboration with Indonesian authorities, have created a notification system that will collect satellite data from the anti-collision devices on most boats. <\/p>\n
The system will flag vessels that have a pattern of suspicious behaviour, and send reports to the authorities when those boats pull into port. <\/p>\n
One tell-tale sign that a boat may be engaged in illegal behaviour is moving abnormally through shipping lanes. <\/p>\n
Lead research scientist at the CSIRO, Chris Wilcox, said that could include moving faster or slower than usual. <\/p>\n
\"One of the other things we look for is indicators a vessel is trying to avoid surveillance,\" he said. <\/p>\n
\"If they turn off their transmitter for instance, or if they change their vessel name while they're at sea, we flag those as suspicious also.\" <\/p>\n
Illegal fishing is the third most lucrative black market in the world - behind gun running and drug trafficking. <\/p>\n
\"It's a major issue in terms of major crime and it's linked to lots of other things, like people smuggling and drugs,\" Dr Wilcox said. <\/p>\n
\"If you want to do something at sea you would use a fishing vessel because they're the cheapest and most seaworthy. <\/p>\n
\"Half of Australia's barramundi comes from Asia. We import the majority of our seafood, so the level of illegality in them is really very relevant for people in Australia.\" <\/p>\n
Some estimate about a third of the seafood in Australian markets is mislabelled and potentially caught illegally. <\/p>\n
The project team is in discussions with the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation to distribute the new system to member countries. <\/p>\n
\"We've had quite strong interest from national governments here in Australia and in the US, and from regional and global bodies,\" Dr Wilcox said. <\/p>\n
\"In our region here in the Pacific and Indian oceans, there's been quite strong interest.\" <\/p>\n
The technology will be launched at the Our Oceans conference in Malta in October. <\/p>\n
Topics: illegal-fishing, law-crime-and-justice, science-and-technology, australia <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Continue reading here: <\/p>\n
CSIRO behind breakthrough technology to help combat illegal fishing trade - ABC Online<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Posted June 26, 2017 09:16:26 Australian scientists have developed world-first surveillance technology to combat the global illegal fishing trade. Source: CSIRO The CSIRO, in collaboration with Indonesian authorities, have created a notification system that will collect satellite data from the anti-collision devices on most boats Continue reading