AI is revolutionizing businesses. According to a study by McKinsey, as of 2024, 72% of companies use AI (artificial intelligence) for at least one business function.
Sure, it’s easy for people to imagine AI being used in the IT industry or cybersecurity field—but fishing?
Can AI really be used there?
And the answer is absolutely! In fact, it’s already used in a myriad of ways to both help those who fish and to protect the ocean
Here’s how…
More Precise Fishing
Fishing involves far more than just tossing lines and nets into the water. A big part of it is understanding and predicting where the fish will be at a given time.
Fishing groups are now using AI to more precisely predict the movements and location of fish populations. They can do this by analyzing pre-existing catch records and even satellite imagery.
For example, the Americas’ largest non-profit environmental organization, Nature Conservancy, already uses machine learning in their Electronic Monitoring systems.
Because of this, not only are fishermen able to fish more efficiently, but also minimize any unproductive fishing time.
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Sustainable Fishing Practices
But that’s not all. With such predictive power, AI analyzes ocean temperature data and uses sensor networks to monitor fish populations, coral reefs, and other marine ecosystems.
A.I. helps fisherman locate fishing opportunities that will minimize environmental damage. Fishermen will be led to areas with abundant fish populations, rather than regions with endangered species or dwindling populations.
AI also makes it possible to identify and classify different species of fish in real-time and analyze broader ecological shifts.
A.I. allows fisherman to make more informed decisions, like:
- Do they continue fishing?
- Do they move on to new locations?
- How much can/should they fish in such a location?
- Which species of fish should they focus on?
All these can be answered quickly and efficiently with AI, as it quickly proves to be a powerful tool for ocean conservation efforts.
Enhanced Equipment and Gear Management
While we don’t have cool, fully-fledged, AI-powered robots to fish for us yet, fishing equipment is however, evolving to include certain forms of AI technology.
Aside from the aforementioned sensors and monitoring systems, more and more fish-catching equipment is now being powered by AI.
“Smart nets” with sensors can now detect the size and species of fish being caught in real-time. This allows the nets to adjust and recalibrate on the fly. In doing so, they can not only more effectively catch the fish, but also prevent catching undersized fish or non-target species.
Autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) equipped with AI capabilities are also often used to inspect underwater fishing gear and monitor marine environments. This greatly reduces the risk of sending humans to these potentially hazardous situations.
These AUVs can detect damaged nets and even reduce what is called “ghost fishing,” which refers to lost or damaged gear that has since been abandoned. Such gear can cause harm to fish by trapping them.
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Aquaculture Intelligence
AI is also used in fish farming and aquaculture operations.
Machine learning algorithms are employed to analyze data like:
- Water temperature
- Oxygen levels
- pH levels
- Ammonia concentrations
- Fish swimming behavior
By doing so, they can help fish farmers predict potential problems—and allow them to take early preventive action.
Some even use it to optimize their feeding patterns. AI allows feeding dispensers to automatically adjust and therefore minimize waste.
Logistics, Cybersecurity, and Marketing In The Fishing Industry
Like many other on-the-ground industries, fishing companies use AI for logistics, cybersecurity, and marketing.
AI is used for their supply chain and logistical processes, optimizing travel routes, and even enhancing quality management systems.
Similarly, fishing companies also use AI for marketing. They use similar algorithms to analyze market data and consumer trends to predict and meet any shifts in seafood demand.
In fact, AI is also being used with blockchain technology to improve traceability! By making it easier to track how seafood products go from fisher to consumer, these companies can better assure product quality and legal compliance.
And, as we see how the fishing industry is becoming more and more digitized, cybersecurity is becoming a more urgent concern as well. Unlike private individuals who can just use a VPN like Surfshark, fishing companies may use AI for more robust cyber protection.
Conclusion: AI’s Future Prospects in the Fishing Industry
AI is already allowing fishing groups to transition from traditional methods to data-driven, AI-powered ones to enhance sustainability and efficiency.
But then AI technology is still in its infancy—who knows what it will look like in the future? Will we eventually see fully autonomous, AI-powered fishing boats? Or technology that allows us to monitor fish movements across the globe in an instant?
By helping fishermen be more efficient and productive, as well as assisting in protecting our precious oceans, AI is proving that, when used wisely and responsibly, it can be a force for the greater good.