National Fisherman

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Electronics

The Oceanbotics software, SubNav, is user-friendly and allows the ROV operator to see via the ROV's camera system or Optimus sonar. It can also show the ROV's position using GPS and a DVL. Photo courtesy of Oceanbotics

Oceanbotics makes ROVs for lost vessel recovery and more

Paul Molyneaux

The Canadian company, OnDeck AI, is working with halibut and blackcod longliners to develop VLM for reviewing electronic monitoring data in fisheries. Designed to reason like humans, VLM could replace the currently used computer vision AI. Photo courtesy

OnDeck AI could revolutionize electronic monitoring

Paul Molyneaux

Although vessels in the Bering Sea Fleet can legally turn off AIS, temporarily, their VMS signals continue to report their positions to NOAA. Photo courtesy of Paul Molyneaux

The increasing advantages of AIS

Paul Molyneaux

In January 2025, Garmin acquired the SeaStar information service and added it to its ecosystem of hardware and software. The software provides numerous data layers intended to make commercial fishing operations more productive and efficient. Photo courtes

Garmin brings SeaStar information service into its ecosytem

Paul Molyneaux

Fishermen using the Fiobuoy gear must meet certain criteria and agree to a number of data gathering requirements. Photo courtesy of Fiomarine

Gear lending library helps Dungeness crabbers go ropeless

Paul Molyneaux

dgeTech’s on-demand buoy system—with the Golden Gate Bridge in the background—is now approved for use in areas otherwise closed to Dungeness crab fishing. The company has been making acoustic release mechanisms for forty years. Photo courtesy of Rob Morri

EdgeTech on demand buoys get California approval

Paul Molyneaux

A 2020 World Wildlife Fund publication named lost fishing gear, or "ghost gear," the "most harmful form of plastic debris to marine wildlife." NOAA photo.

'Smart Buoys' track ghost fishing gear

NF Staff

North Atlantic right whale #4150 “Accordion” and her first calf swimming close to the shipping lanes at the entrance to the Port of New York and New Jersey. Accordion is named for the propeller scars on her back that resemble the musical instrument. Photo

NOAA launches AIS speed alerts to protect right whales

NF Staff

Starlink on a commercial fishing vessel. Photo courtesy of Carli Stewart

What fishermen are saying about connectivity offshore

Carli Stewart

Tom Rossiter, owner of CatchCam, hauls in a fish trap rigged with a CatchCam camera to study how freshwater fish like perch interact with the gear. Petri Suuronen, who organized the project, hopes to expand the lake fisheries in Finland. Photo courtesy of

CatchCam building small-scale fisheries

Paul Molyneaux

At only 12 inches in height, the FLIR camera can be easily mounted on top of a vessel’s wheelhouse or under an overhang, and enables fishermen to see people or objects in the water up to 5 miles away with the top-end model. Photo courtesy of Paul Molyneau

FLIR infrared cameras give fishermen eyes in the dark

Paul Molyneaux