The International Conference on Fisheries and Aquaculture (ICFA) 2025, held this year in Vietnam, brought together global experts, researchers, and industry leaders to discuss the latest developments in sustainable fisheries management. The conference serves as a vital platform for sharing knowledge, introducing new technologies, and addressing the pressing challenges faced by both small-scale and industrial fisheries.
As part of this important event, BlueTraker was represented by the Director of Telematics Sector, Iztok Pirnat. He delivered two well-received presentations on innovative solutions designed to bridge data gaps in small-scale fisheries (SSF) – a sector that contributes nearly 40% of the global catch yet continues to face major challenges in effective monitoring.
Quantifying Fishing Effort for Passive Gear
Measuring fishing effort for Small Scale Fisheries is currently a technical and operational challenge that has not yet been resolved. EMA developed the NetSenz sensor, a purpose-built device for monitoring passive fishing gear such as gillnets, longlines, and pots. Unlike conventional Vessel Monitoring Systems, NetSenz directly records gear deployment and retrieval, including soaking time and depth. Field tests show the system provides regulators with valuable, reliable data that supports more effective fisheries management.
Landings Declaration System (LDS)
The next challenge for Small Scale Fisheries is recording catches, which fishermen must declare and report electronically in the Fishing Information System. BlueTraker LDS is an advanced weighing and electronic reporting solution enabling artisanal fishers to declare their catch upon landing. Fully integrated with national Fishing Information Systems (FIS), the LDS provides fast, accurate, and paperless landed catch reporting.
The LDS ecosystem consists of two core components. The first one is Landings Data Cloud (LDC) – a secure, cloud-based platform for data management. The second component is the Landing Declaration Kiosk (LDK) – an on-site weighing and reporting station installed in fishing ports and points of first landings. To maintain product freshness, the kiosk also produces and dispenses ice. By embedding compliance into fishers’ daily routines, LDS makes catch reporting more accurate, efficient, and transparent.
Conclusion
Through solutions like NetSenz and LDS, BlueTraker provides tools that enable fisheries authorities, regulators, and research institutions to collect better data and implement more effective management practices. ICFA 2025 offered a valuable stage to present these innovations, strengthening BlueTraker’s role as a trusted technology partner in supporting sustainable fisheries worldwide.
