During the OECD Committee for Fisheries meeting, the Dutch delegation hosted a workshop on innovation in the fisheries sector, with contributions from New Zealand and Canada. Fisheries experts from the three countries presented a range of technological developments aimed at improving sustainability, monitoring, and operational efficiency in fisheries. The workshop also underlined the potential role of the OECD in strengthening fisheries innovation through international knowledge sharing, policy advice to governments, and monitoring developments across member countries.
Beeld: © Pexels
New Zealand opened the workshop with presentations on the use of on-board camera monitoring systems. According to the New Zealand delegation, the technology has significant potential to strengthen monitoring and compliance at sea, while also supporting research into unwanted bycatch, particularly of seabirds and turtles. At the same time, the implementation of camera systems presents operational challenges, including large-scale data transfers and the personnel required to process recordings. Smart classification tools and artificial intelligence (AI) applications can help authorities focus on high-risk recordings and prioritize the transfer of the most relevant data.
Whale conservation
Canada presented with its national whale conservation strategy, which includes several gear innovations designed to reduce the risk of whale entanglement in passive fishing gear. Some buoy lines have intentionally been made weaker so they break when a whale becomes entangled, while other lines are weighted to remain on the seafloor. Canada highlighted the importance of balancing conservation objectives with operational practicality for fishers, noting that gear modifications differ depending on fleet segment and target species. The Canadian delegation also stressed the need for interoperability between systems to maintain safety standards across the sector.
AI-driven technology
The Netherlands concluded the workshop with a presentation on its “Fully Documented Fisheries” approach. Using an AI-driven camera system installed above the sorting belt on board fishing vessels, the system can automatically register bycatch in mixed demersal fisheries. Developing the technology proved technically challenging, as conditions at sea required a customized detection setup to ensure sufficient image quality. The Netherlands is currently expanding trials to Danish cutters and exploring opportunities to support further commercialization of the innovation.
The three delegations will continue upholding the importance of innovation at the COFI level.