On a boat in the middle of the ocean, visualize yourself. The sun's rays cause the water's surface to glitter and sparkle. You row your ancient boat to the fishing spots in the hopes of making your day's catch of sardines by looking over the water to see them just beneath the surface.
Since before recorded civilisation, fishing has been a component of human existence. Hooks, spears, and nets were gradually replaced by large boats that dragged heavy nets over the ocean floor. Fishing technology has advanced in a variety of creative ways throughout the years.
What do you believe should be done next?
Our ability to locate fish from space is a testament to how far technology has come in our day and age. This does not imply that fish may be seen from space. Understanding where fish go will help us better comprehend how we locate fish from space.
Fish are drawn to food like moths to a flame
Like all other animals, fish require food to survive. Many people consider worms to be "fish food," but do you ever see worms floating in the ocean? No! So what do fish actually eat?
Comparing a marine food chain to food systems on land is the first step in determining where a marine food chain begins. You're probably saying right about now, "Oh, the food chain on land starts with plants!"
A plant will always be at the top of the food chain in an ecosystem. Because they require sunlight to transform basic materials into food, they are referred to as "primary producers."
Animals wouldn't exist and wouldn't have access to food without them.
Algae are the ocean's main producers. Some of species could even resemble big land plants, like kelp, in size and appearance. However, they are often miniscule and small! Phytoplankton refers to all of these diverse kind of algae.
Animals that are almost as little as these "tiny plants" consume them! They are referred to as zooplankton. Now, fish that are a little bigger devour zooplankton. The cycle continues when larger fish go on to consume those fish. The fact that phytoplankton is the first link in the food chain is crucial. The location of the phytoplankton affects the remainder of the ecosystem.
Phytoplankton won't always be in the same place, unlike plants on land. How can we determine the location of the phytoplankton?
space-based plankton search
Phytoplankton will constantly be in a changing environment. The remainder of the marine species may follow the trail of breadcrumbs left by these small organisms as they are transported by the current from one location to another.
But how would you be able to follow small plants if it's challenging to track fish using satellites? Well, the term "plants" is the key.
Because plants employ photosynthesis to create their own sustenance, they are distinct from mammals. They require chlorophyll in order to complete photosynthesis. Like all other plants, phytoplankton need chlorophyll, and it is this pigment that enables us to locate these plants from space.
A substance called chlorophyll absorbs both red and blue light. Now, two things will occur if there is a large patch of phytoplankton in the water. Since that area of phytoplankton effectively equals more food for more fish, you will first see a lot of fish there. Second, the phytoplankton will absorb a lot of red and blue light.
Sensors on satellites are incredibly precise and sensitive. These sensors track variations in the quantity of light absorbed and provide the location of the phytoplankton. We can locate these locations on a map with the aid of satellites.
If more light is absorbed, there is also a larger concentration of phytoplankton.
As a result, these places would attract more fish, making them better fishing spots than others.
How satellites are assisting in the battle against illicit fishing
As part of a new program, coastguards are given satellite intelligence so they may focus their hunt for illegal fishing boats in distant maritime regions.
With the use of satellite technology, fish being stolen from marine reserves throughout the world, like the one in Ascension Island that was reported over the weekend, may now be observed, followed, and prosecuted.
Despite the emergence of sizable, often praised marine reserves, it has historically been very difficult to really cease fishing in many distant locations
Fishing boats must have a transponder, which records their movements and enables authorities to keep an eye on their behavior. However, illegal fishermen simply turn off the device, leaving it inactive.
These "black targets" are tracked by satellite radars as part of a UK-funded effort created by Satellite Applications Catapult (SAC) and the Pew Charitable Trusts. Now, coastguard vessels target their search using satellite intelligence rather than idly cruising broad oceanic expanses.
"There is not always an inspector posted at each crossroad.. Bradley Soule, a senior fisheries analyst with SAC, said, "Let's at least know what the situation out on the ocean is [before sending boats to investigate]. Historically, the military and law enforcement have employed satellite radar. However, the price has been decreased, making the data available for use by private businesses.
It is undoubtedly a significant event, he remarked. You can get a feel of the scope thanks to the worldwide satellite tracking. It is a complicated issue. Around the world, one in five fish that are landed were captured illegally.
The issue had not previously been successfully communicated amongst neighboring governments, according to Soule.
The technology has just been in development for two years, so it is still technically being tested, but it has already been utilized in investigations. These have not yet been made public in full.
We have found some unusual conduct, and we're working with the proper authorities, " Soule continued.
Conclusion
Satellites have made it easier for fisherman to locate their favorite fishing spots. The common question is, "Won't this hurt ecosystems?" If fisherman had their own personal satellites to assist them, then that would be the case. I believe our waters are secure from any space-based exploitation—at least until Jeff Bezos or Elon Musk decide to board a vessel and cruise the seven seas.
Therefore, how precisely do satellites aid fisherman and will our seas be safe? Fortunately for us, the government often owns satellites through commercial partnerships. Governments therefore own the information on fishing locations.
The coastal regions of several nations, including India, presently utilize this. Three satellites are being used in this project: the NOAA-AVHRR, Oceansat 2, and MODIS-AQUA satellites. Through a two-way collaborative understanding between the government and the people, this is assisting fishermen and safeguarding the environment.
