eDNA offers a way to obtain high resolution and high-quality estimates of the species composition of the catches and address possible mis- or underreporting of (by)catches. OptiFish will focus on optimising the eDNA sampling strategy to accurately detect and quantify the biomass of pelagic species (e.g., herring, mackerel) and flatfishes (sole, plaice) from the catch water using validated, rapid target-specific DNA-based assays.
Develop robust practices for monitoring the biomass of fish stocks in order to detect Protected, Endangered and Threatened (PET) species as well as disease and parasites.
EM (Electronic Monitoring) Camera systems will be optimised to monitor activities and indicate tampering and will be connected with sensors and other catch recording systems. EM video footage will be used to create training data sets for the developing deep neural networks for species identification, counts and measurement.
OptiFish will develop an economical mechatronic/robotic system to improve the accuracy of automatic catch monitoring by unstacking piles of fish that would otherwise cause occlusion and obscure images.
Multispectral cameras will be used to help detect blood accumulation, skin damage, compounds that relate to deterioration, bacteria, and visible parasites. This valuable information on illness, freshness, and survivability of catch, enables fishers to adapt their operations.
Α single integrated data platform for the collection and analysis of catch control data, that goes beyond traditional reporting systems by including catch composition data, DNA-based assays, sensor data and Copernicus, while maintaining compatibility with existing systems.
The Fisher’s Decision Support System (DTS) will provide near-real time geo-spatial information on vessel catches and discards from EM and overviews of gross revenue and cost from fuel consumption, as well as an overview of quota consumption. This information will provide fishers insights to improve their operations.
A template for a control agreement on the integration of AI-based catch monitoring systems will be co-created through the cooperation of fisheries experts (scientists, fishers, policymakers) in a series of working groups.
Learn more about the technologies OptiFish will use.
