SciTransfer
OptiFish · Project

AI-Powered Digital Monitoring and Automated Species Recognition for Sustainable Commercial Fishing

foodPilotedTRL 6

Imagine a smart camera and a DNA test for fishing boats that automatically knows exactly what fish are being caught. Instead of people manually writing down lists, AI identifies the species and volume in real-time. This helps captains avoid catching the wrong fish and proves to customers that the seafood is legally and sustainably sourced.

By the numbers
5
pilot studies to validate onboard technologies
19
consortium partners
8
countries involved
The business problem

What needed solving

Fishing fleets struggle with inefficient manual reporting and high bycatch rates, leading to regulatory fines and low consumer trust in seafood sustainability.

The solution

What was built

An AI-powered monitoring system combining EM cameras, DNA analysis, and robotics for automated species recognition and catch reporting.

Audience

Who needs this

Commercial fishing fleet ownersFisheries enforcement agenciesSeafood quality assurance firmsMarine resource managers
Business applications

Who can put this to work

Commercial Fishing
mid-size
Target: Fleet Operators

If you are a fleet operator dealing with high rates of accidental bycatch and manual reporting errors — this project developed an AI-driven decision-support system that optimizes operations and reduces unreported landings.

Fisheries Management
enterprise
Target: Government Regulatory Agencies

If you are a regulatory agency dealing with illegal fishing and system tampering — this project developed a GDPR-compliant control and enforcement system using electronic monitoring and robotics to detect violations.

Seafood Retail
SME
Target: Premium Seafood Distributors

If you are a distributor dealing with low consumer trust in fish origin — this project developed genetic monitoring and imaging tools that verify species identity and product quality.

Frequently asked

Quick answers

What is the cost or price of implementing these tools?

Based on available project data, specific pricing or implementation costs are not provided; the project focuses on establishing an economically viable system.

Is the technology ready for industrial scale?

The project is testing the technology through 5 pilot studies across different fisheries and sea basins to ensure it works in real-world operational environments.

How is the IP and licensing handled?

Based on available project data, there is no specific information regarding IP or licensing agreements in the provided text.

Does this help with legal compliance?

Yes, it develops a GDPR-compliant system to identify regulatory violations and prevent illegal practices like discarding fish.

How does the system integrate with existing boat hardware?

It integrates sensors, EM cameras, and robotics across various catch handling facilities to automate reporting and species recognition.

Consortium

Who built it

The consortium is well-balanced for commercial transition, featuring 19 partners with a 37% industry ratio (7 industry partners, 7 of which are SMEs). The mix of 4 research centers and 3 universities ensures scientific rigor, while the inclusion of national fisheries authorities from Norway, Denmark, and Belgium suggests a direct path to regulatory adoption.

How to reach the team

Contact EIGEN VERMOGEN VAN HET INSTITUUT VOOR LANDBOUW- EN VISSERIJONDERZOEK in Belgium

Next steps

Talk to the team behind this work.

Contact us to connect with the OptiFish consortium for pilot integration.

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