Can we support Sea Shepherd operations with drones to protect our fisheries ?

Can we use Unmanned Platforms to protect fisheries?

When we think Unmanned Platforms, you may immediately recall that Sea Shepherd received in 2011 what it describes as a “reprimand” from the Australian government for its use of aerial drones to track the Japanese whaling fleet. In many countries, filming illegal fishing with drones is also illegal and has limited so far our scope of operation.

But technology is evolving, same is regulation, “all aquatic unmanned platforms should still being considered”, said Vic Grosjean, principal consultant at OceanX Group.

Can we enhance Sea Shepherd operations using innovative technology and unmanned platforms?   

The future of our Oceans depends on our ability to manage resources efficiently. This includes fisheries, powered and the use of unmanned platforms to perform more efficient long-term operations. 

• The Wave gliders developed by Liquid Robotics harvest the wave and solar energy to perform up to 1-year operation! Can we use theses vehicles to track Illegal fishing? 

• Fixed-Wing UAVs, Multirotor, and Tilt-Rotor hybrid can be deployed to take closer footage of Illegal whaling. With the increase of Autonomy, these platforms may replace the needs of Helicopters and enable better tracking of fishing boats.

• Unmanned Surface Vehicles on a bigger scale may considerably lower Shepherd operation costs and enable the organization to deploy massive Swarms of boats working together to discourage all illegal fisheries.

Technology can automate Sea-Shepherd maritime operations and globally boost up efficiency. We are looking forward to bringing Innovation in the Ocean.