With the exponential growth of AI, commercial fishing vessels are taking advantage of new technologies for fisheries management which include AI cameras combined with GPS receiver tracking, a hydraulic pressure sensor, winch rotation sensor with echo sounder, crane and platform scales, and weather station inputs. These systems are able to determine the activity of a vessel, determine where that activity occurred, accept inputs and comments from the skipper, and record video images of that activity for verification and other purposes. Satellite communications allow GPS and sensor data to be sent to shore for live monitoring.
The term used for this developing technology is REM – Remote Electronic Monitoring (REM) which is being increasing used in UK waters.
The system provides a standardised, auditable method for recording catch and biological data on board. It supports accurate species identification, catch recording and sample tracking, helping vessels demonstrate compliance with national and international fisheries regulations. By reducing manual paperwork and inconsistent reporting, the technology lowers administration work and minimises the risk of errors. This improves transparency across the supply chain and supports evidence-based fisheries management.
The system’s key components include marine-grade IP cameras, positioned to provide clear coverage of key working areas such as hauling stations, sorting tables and discard points. The vibration-resistant cameras operate in low-light and are protected against water (IP67) and salt corrosion.
CCTV feeds are managed by a central control unit (CCU) which securely records footage to encrypted solid-state storage. The CCU synchronises video with sensor inputs such as hydraulic pressure sensors, drum rotation sensors or GPS data, enabling automatic event-based recording rather than continuous filming, which reduces data volumes.
An integrated GPS module provides precise time and location stamping, supporting compliance verification and spatial analysis for stock assessment. The system includes tamper detection and system health monitoring, ensuring data integrity and auditability.
Data is offloaded via secure physical transfer or encrypted remote upload when connectivity allows. Together, these components provide a robust, verifiable CCTV system that supports regulatory compliance while minimising operational impact on fishing vessels.
For more information, please contact Paragon Security.