Electronic Monitoring in Fisheries

Summary

Since the beginning of the 21st century, electronic monitoring (EM) has emerged as an innovative method in fisheries monitoring. EM systems generally consist of various activity sensors, GPS, computer and digital cameras, which allow for video monitoring to document catches and detailed fishing effort estimation without requiring additional on‐board personnel, e.g. at-sea observers. EM is often presented as the solution to improve catch documentation in fisheries and should result in increased transparency, better scientific data, increased public goodwill and the possibility to induce more sustainable fisheries. However, despite its advantages, fisheries managers have so far remained reluctant to use it because of its unpopularity among fishers. This PhD-study aimed to investigate the efficacy of EM in the Dutch bottom trawl fishery and to discuss the viability of EM in fisheries in general.