Dr. Fabian Reith, Fish-X Coordinator from TransMarTech, delivered the opening presentation about the Fish-X project. He briefed about the background of the project stating that it is a 3-year project of 6 million euros, co-funded by the EU Horizon Europe Programme. It is a technology and open-source driven project. To read more about the project, consortium partners, and their activities, please visit https://fish-x.eu/

During the webinar, the conversation explored how digital tools can redefine and optimise various aspects of fishing operations. From real-time monitoring of fishing activities to data-driven decision-making as well as incorporation of digital tools promises to enhance overall operational efficiency.  The technology contributes to responsible fishing practices and the long-term health of marine ecosystems, ensuring the future of fishing activities.

The three keynote speakers included Rachel Tiller, Chief Scientist at SINTEF Ocean from Norway; Kristaps Gramanis, Head of Fisheries Department, Latvian Rural Advisory and Training Centre; and Kai Meinke, Lead of the Gaia-X Open-Source Software Community, Co-Founder of deltaDAO AG. from Germany.

Digital transition of catch monitoring in European fisheries

In her presentation, Rachel Tiller, highlighted the focus of EVERYFISH, a project funded under Horizon Europe Programme. Commencing on January 1, 2023, the project spans 48 months, concluding on December 31, 2026. The project boasts 17 partners from 8 countries, including 3 associated partners from the UK, namely the University of East Anglia, CEFAS, and the University of St. Andrews. For more information, visit the project website at everyfish.eu.

They are developing scanners which are creating a 3D image of fish. This technology is referred to as digital twins. Using the AI, it can recognise the fish species and has been trained to do so. This technology can tell about the specie, weight, and length of fish and probably in future can also tell about the quality. In this way, the data is collected and is available to fishers, government authorities, and research institutes. The aim is to make technology useful for fishers and make their work easy. She said that there is a trust deficit between fishers and authorities and this technology can allow fishers to prove they are compliant and authorities can verify it using this data and tools.

She explained with a chart that fisheries management involves a multifaceted approach encompassing quotas, real-time closure monitoring, and reporting mechanisms. Quotas are set to regulate the amount of fish that can be harvested, while real-time closure systems ensure compliance with these limits by automatically halting fishing activities in designated areas when quotas are reached. Reporting mechanisms facilitate the accurate recording of catch data, including details on species and quantity, upon landing. Additionally, the integration of automatic catch registration technologies streamlines the process, enhancing efficiency and accuracy. Subsequently, this data plays a crucial role in market transactions and processing activities within the fishing industry. We need to understand that fishers are the ones who are giving us information what is in the waters. So, fishers should be trusted with data and be encouraged to reduce the discards.

She emphasised the positive role of fishers in the integration of digital tools and technologies. The most important data comes from fishers that supports electronic monitoring systems and data analytics, to improve the accuracy, efficiency, and sustainability of monitoring fishing activities and catch reporting within fisheries. Trust building amongst stakeholders will enhance compliance with regulations, promote responsible fishing practices, and ensure the effective management of marine resources.

Small-scale Fisheries in Latvia

The presentation by Kristaps Gramanis from Latvian Rural Advisory and Training Centre focused on the SSF in Latvia. SSF play a significant role in the fishing industry, characterised by vessels with a length of up to 12 meters. This sector comprises approximately 600 fishing boats, encompassing both commercial vessels and those utilised by self-consumption fishers. Representing about 90% of the fishing fleet in Latvia, SSF contribute around 3% of the country’s total catch. Passive fishing gears such as gillnets, trap nets, and pound nets are commonly used by small-scale fishers, particularly targeting Baltic herring.

He also shared some initial findings from a survey revealing key insights into the characteristics and practices of the SSF in Latvia. Boat lengths range from 4.3 to 7 meters, with some extending up to 10 meters. The age of the boats spans from 1 to 50 years, showcasing a varied fleet. Electricity is primarily provided by batteries, supporting onboard operations. Electronic devices are limited, with smartphones being the most common. Fish caught are typically stored on ice within the boats, destined for sale either to fish processing companies or through direct transactions. Interestingly, there is little concern expressed regarding the subsequent fate of the fish post-sale, as Latvian legislation and state institutional systems ensure the traceability of fishing products, thereby instilling confidence in the supply chain’s integrity and compliance.

The Latvian Fisheries Integrated Control and Information System serves as a comprehensive national database overseen by the Ministry of Agriculture. This system functions to gather and manage various crucial data related to fisheries activities, including information on fishing operations, fish landings, market prices of fish, lists of registered fishing vessels, and the registration details of fishers and fish buyers. Additionally, it monitors and records instances of fishing violations. The system caters to a diverse range of users, including fishers, operators such as first buyers and fish processing companies, transporters, municipalities, and regulatory bodies such as the State Environmental Service, Food and Veterinary Service, Customs, and the scientific institute ‘BIOR’.

He also shared various challenges confronting the country’s SSF such as aging of fishers poses concerns about succession planning and the transfer of knowledge and skills. Attracting new fishers is essential to maintain a vibrant and sustainable workforce. Decreasing incomes amid rising costs and market pressures affect the financial viability of fishing operations. Decreasing fish quotas restrict the potential yield, impacting both revenue and livelihoods. Raising the prestige of the fishers is crucial for recognising the profession’s importance and attracting talent. Administrative burden, including regulatory compliance and paperwork, adds to operational complexities. Improving the working environment, such as safety measures and amenities aboard vessels, enhances the well-being of fishers. Managing seals and cormorants, which can impact fish populations and pose challenges for fishers, requires effective mitigation strategies.

Digital Service Ecosystem for Fish-X

The presentation by Kai Meinke focused on Pontus-X which is a Digital Service Ecosystem, based on Gaia-X framework similar to Fish-X Data Space and digital tools being developed. His company deltaDAO is a small enterprise and leading technology provider based in the EU, specifically Germany, dedicated to supporting European data space initiatives. Since 2021, deltaDAO has been at the forefront of deploying an open and functional ecosystem of federation services, with plans to transition to full-scale production by 2024.

Their technology focuses on developing Data Space Operating Models that encompass a spectrum of (de-)centralisation strategies. They facilitate the creation of enabling services and business models for AI and data ecosystems, seamlessly integrating data, software packages, AI, and SaaS solutions, including Federated Analytics. deltaDAO combines both existing and new infrastructure, spanning edge, on-premises, cloud, data streams, and AI technologies.

Instant settlement using digital EURO ensures efficient transactions, while preserving intellectual property and ensuring GDPR compliance through Compute-to-Data and Compute-to-Edge methodologies. Identity and trust are established through eIDAS TSPs and Gaia-X Conformity Rules, with contracting facilitated by digital signatures within Terms & Conditions and data use agreements.

Participation in or operation of Pan-European network infrastructures is open to all stakeholders, with deltaDAO already integrating Federated Catalogue and Gaia-X Digital Clearing House functionalities. Their innovative Compute-to-Data technology allows for computations to be performed directly on data, safeguarding privacy and data sovereignty by limiting access to trusted applications on trusted infrastructure.

In the panel discussion, all the speakers participated and answered different questions asked by the audience and consortium partners. During the discussion, it was highlighted that on the one hand, the challenge is to push the fishery industry towards digitalisation, showcasing to young people the attractiveness and opportunities of digitalisation in their jobs. On the other hand, the challenge is about the technology which is currently being developed, that how to provide more distributed solutions that protect the sovereignty of information.

This is necessary because there is significant skepticism within the fishery industry regarding data sharing, which can be addressed by creating a data platform based on the concept of Gaia-X. Over the following years, the project aims to achieve greater transparency and usability of fishing data, attracting consumers to engage with the data.

In one of the questions, it was asked if fishers will need to pay for the information and use of Pontus-X, based on their role as data providers. Kai Meinke addressed this by explaining the role of fishers as contributors: Fisheries providing access to data should receive fair value in return, negotiated by the participants. Users who do not provide data pay a user fee, thereby rewarding providers and avoiding free riders.

Another question explored how to enter a world with existing digital tools and knowledge. Rachel highlighted that while people are developing tools for the fishery industry, Fish-X, supported by multiple partners, develops solution options based on empirical and scientific findings to offer an adaptive comprehensive solution system.

Kai emphasised the importance of not losing data sovereignty. In international cooperation, only negotiated data under jurisdiction should be shared, ensuring technical sovereignty and control. Another question delved into opinions on incentives for small-scale fishers as data providers. Kristaps illustrated the situation in the Baltic Sea, suggesting that even with an improved system, there may not necessarily be more successful catches due to limited fishing stocks.

Another question focused on protecting the ecosystem from overfishing. Rachel acknowledged that overharvesting cannot be avoided but emphasised that the Fish-X system provides the chance to control catches. If overharvesting is observed, regulations will apply and those responsible will be punished for noncompliance. Ultimately, the project saves time and fuel and increases economic efficiency among fisheries.

The participants were highly engaged in the conversation by writing comments and questions, which created a dynamic and interactive Q/A session. The webinar concluded with vote of thanks to all the speakers, panelists, and participants for joining the discussion. The participants were also encouraged to subscribe to Fish-X newsletter and follow Fish-X social media channels: LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube, to stay updated about the future developments of this project.