Abstract: | Abstract To complement existing fishery control measures, in particular the Vessel Monitoring System (VMS), a pilot operational system to find fishing vessels in satellite images was set up. Radar is the mainstay of the system, which furthermore includes fully automated image processing and communication protocols with the authorities. Different image types are used to match different fisheries – oceanic, shelf and coastal. Vessel detection rates were 75–100% depending on image type and vessel size. Output of the system, in the form of an overview of vessel positions in the area highlighting any discrepancies with otherwise reported positions, can be at the authorities within 30 min of the satellite image being taken – fast enough to task airborne inspection for follow up. |