Changes

Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated fishing (IUU) has many negative environmental, economic, and social impacts.  

Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated fishing (IUU) has many negative environmental, economic, and social impacts.  

* IUU is considered a major contributor to declining fish stocks and marine habitat destruction. It is estimated that one in every five fish sold is caught illegally. This represents up to 26 million tonnes of fish caught annually, valued at between $10 to $23 billion USD <ref>https://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/international/isu-iuu-eng.htm</ref>.

* IUU is considered a major contributor to declining fish stocks and marine habitat destruction. It is estimated that one in every five fish sold is caught illegally. This represents up to 26 million tonnes of fish caught annually, valued at between $10 to $23 billion <ref>https://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/international/isu-iuu-eng.htm</ref>.

* Hotspot areas for IUU can lead to higher amounts of ghost gear as vessels fishing illegally are more likely to abandon or lose their gear. Ghost fishing gear is considered one of the biggest threats to our oceans leading to more marine pollution which can be fatal to fish, marine mammals and other marine life <ref>https://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fisheries-peches/management-gestion/ghostgear-equipementfantome/what-quoi-eng.html</ref> .  

* Hotspot areas for IUU can lead to higher amounts of ghost gear as vessels fishing illegally are more likely to abandon or lose their gear. Ghost fishing gear is considered one of the biggest threats to our oceans leading to more marine pollution which can be fatal to fish, marine mammals, and other marine life <ref>https://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fisheries-peches/management-gestion/ghostgear-equipementfantome/what-quoi-eng.html</ref> .

* This is not only about ensuring the sustainability of our oceans, but also to ensure the safety of DFO fishery officers. Incidents of violence against DFO fishery officers are reported every year as are other forms of criminal activity taking place under the guise of fishing such as drug or human trafficking.

* This is not only about ensuring the sustainability of our oceans but also about ensuring the safety of DFO fishery officers. Incidents of violence against DFO fishery officers are reported every year as are other forms of criminal activity taking place under the guise of fishing such as drug or human trafficking.

Canadian fishery officers are heavily present on the water, in the air and in port in order to monitor and inspect fishing activities. Given how large our oceans are, It is hard for DFO fishery officers to track and react to IUU fishing activities. '''Using only this heavy presence to investigate fishing activities is clearly an expensive and time-intensive process.'''

Canadian fishery officers are heavily present on the water, in the air, and in port to monitor and inspect fishing activities. Given how large our oceans are, It is hard for DFO fishery officers to track and react to IUU fishing activities. '''Using only this heavy presence to investigate fishing activities is an expensive and time-intensive process.'''

== The Solution ==

== The Solution ==

[[File:Iuu ai.png|frameless|442x442px|alt=|right]]

[[File:Iuu ai.png|442x442px|alt=|thumb|<small>'''High-level overview for an AI-powered fishing activities monitoring system'''</small>]]

Vessel tracking data such as Automatic Identification System (AIS) data and Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) data can provide insight into vessel movements. AI algorithms can analyze vessel movements data to reveal patterns of fishing activities and behavior. The main idea is that vessel speed and course can be useful indicators to identify behavioral markers of fishing. Eventually, the goal is to create a Maritime E-Surveillance System, powered by AI, to support maritime surveillance of fishing activities/vessel activities. Such a system can give Canadian fishery officers a bird’s eye view over what is happening on the water and provide them with the required insights enabling them to manage effectively their enforcement efforts. The diagram shows the high-level overview of such a system.

Vessel tracking data such as Automatic Identification System (AIS) data and Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) data can provide insight into vessel movements. AI algorithms can analyze vessel movements data to reveal patterns of fishing activities and behavior. The main idea is that vessel speed and course can be useful indicators to identify behavioral markers of fishing. Eventually, the goal is to create a Maritime E-Surveillance System, powered by AI, to support maritime surveillance of fishing activities/vessel activities. Such a system can give Canadian fishery officers a bird’s eye view over what is happening on the water and provide them with the required insights enabling them to manage effectively their enforcement efforts. The diagram shows the high-level overview of such a system.