BlueTraker at Ocean Sciences Meeting 2026: Advancing Fisheries Data for Ocean Science

In February 2026, BlueTraker joined the world's leading ocean science community at the Ocean Sciences Meeting 2026 (OSM26) – a landmark biennial conference organized by the American Geophysical Union (AGU), the Association for the Sciences of Limnology and Oceanography (ASLO), and The Oceanography Society (TOS). The event brings together scientists, researchers, and industry professionals from across the globe to share knowledge, forge collaborations, and push the boundaries of ocean understanding.

A key highlight of our participation was a dedicated session organized by the Fishing Vessel Ocean Observing Network (FVON) – a community that sits at the intersection of commercial fishing and ocean science, and one whose mission closely aligns with BlueTraker's work in maritime tracking and data collection.

The session brought together members of the FVON steering committee and partners to explore new approaches to collecting, funding, and using oceanographic data gathered through fishing vessels. The committee outlined its strategy for engaging stakeholders across science, industry, and coastal communities — with the goal of building sustainable, comprehensive ocean observing systems. Discussions spanned funding mechanisms, technological innovation, and collaboration pathways that connect international initiatives with citizen science and local needs.

Early-stage case studies were also presented, including developments from the North Atlantic Arc project, offering a concrete look at FVON's approach and the opportunities it opens for future partnerships.

For BlueTraker, OSM26 was an important opportunity to engage directly with the ocean science community and to explore how fishing vessel tracking technology can contribute to a broader, more connected picture of our oceans.