Monitoring, Control and Surveillance

Measuring fishing effort

We have experience in Monitoring, Control and Surveillance (MCS) tools measuring fishing effort in marine and freshwater systems.

MCS tools are crucial in effecting policies and plans for fisheries management. We advise on the approaches to collection of appropriate data, licensing and enforcing systems, and provision of management information systems.

We can also identify opportunities to maximise the benefits of MCS from existing systems in order to make efficiency savings, without compromising the essential integrity of any of the MCS functions.

Vessel Monitoring Systems

We are experienced in advising policy makers on the design and operational needs of Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS).

This includes the use of VMS for policy enforcement, and exploring the wider application of VMS data in fisheries management.  We have practical experience of the running of VMS systems for government.

Determination of catches

A scientific basis for fisheries management requires accurate and reliable data, so designing and implementing the most appropriate data collection schemes is essential.

We are experienced in all aspects of data definition and the methodologies and practicalities of collecting data from fleets, ports, markets and fishing enterprises.

We advise on the approaches available for data collection, such as observer surveys, logbook recording of catches and fishing effort, discard monitoring, and biological and other sampling, both for quota-controlled and non-quota-controlled species.  We also understand the complex issues of data misreporting and how to collect the data to make appropriate adjustments for stock assessment and management purposes.