A few years ago, Mexico’s national fishing authorities recognized that their existing Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) had become obsolete and largely non-functional. Concerned about the potential risks to the marine environment, the Mexico National Commission of Aquaculture and Fisheries (CONAPESCA) launched a tender in December 2022 to upgrade the country’s vessel monitoring technology.
Responding to this call, EMA, in collaboration with its local partner Seguritech, won the tender to supply the comprehensive VMS. The central objective of the project was to establish a quality and reliable system for monitoring fishing vessels in Mexico. To achieve this, approximately 1,800 large-scale fishing vessels were equipped with the innovative BlueTraker hardware. This includes the advanced BlueTraker VMS transponder paired with the latest LCD ConBox model, which features, among other things, an emergency distress beacon and satellite-based texting capabilities. This ensures CONAPESCA has access to cutting-edge VMS technology, offering bidirectional communication with FMC, immediate onboard alerts for geozone boundary crossings, and the advantage for vessel owners to monitor their boats’ real-time locations, among other features. Furthermore, the latest BlueTraker VMS system presents the potential for significant upgrades, such as the Starfish function that allows high-sea communication via mobile phones and the BlueSenz sensor technology for precise fishing effort determination.
FMC also procured the SecondScreen software license, an essential tool for real-time vessel oversight. This software was enriched with custom features and advanced reporting mechanisms, playing a pivotal role in fortifying sustainable fishery management.
As of early 2024, the project has seen considerable progress. All necessary onboard equipment has been successfully installed, with the system now fully operational.
Earlier in March 2023, our expert team landed in Mazatlán, marking the project’s initial phase. This visit was more than just installations—it was an opportunity. Through training sessions and on-ground interactions, we empowered installers with the necessary knowledge and skills, ensuring a smooth and effective deployment process. Meeting with CONAPESCA representatives and interacting with the crew who will utilize our solutions offered invaluable insights, reaffirming the importance of direct feedback in refining our solutions.
The collaboration between EMA and Seguritech has not only led to a successful project completion but also laid a foundation for similar future endeavors. As a leading vessel tracking and monitoring solution provider, EMA is proud to work alongside Seguritech, a frontrunner in integrated security systems in Mexico. With their extensive expertise in security solutions, Seguritech played an instrumental role in the local execution of this project.
In essence, this collaboration echoes our commitment to enhancing marine oversight and sustainability. We remain keen on expanding our global footprint and contributing to such impactful projects in the future.