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. To read more about the project, consortium partners, and their activities, please visit https://fish-x.eu/

As the title suggests, this webinar was focused on the Portuguese SSF and presented experts who possess extensive knowledge of the present challenges and potential solutions in this domain. The two keynote speakers included Marta Rufino, Researcher at the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and the Atmosphere (IPMA), with two decades of experience in ecological statistics, marine ecology, SSF, and biodiversity; and André Dias, Fishermen representative from Algarve, Portugal, a marine biologist from a family of fishermen in the Algarve, aimed to add value to the family business through his career.

Marta Rufino focused on tracking Portuguese SSF in her presentation and highlighted the concerning state of fish populations, which have declined by 50% over the past four decades. The oceans, which are overfished and under-protected, are on the brink of collapse.

To ensure sustainable fisheries, it is crucial to have data and knowledge that can support decision-makers. In Portugal, large-scale fisheries (LSF) employ 20% of fishers and boats and contribute to 70% of the fish catch. On the other hand, SSF employ 80% of fishers and boats, but their output accounts for 30% of the fish catch. SSF plays a significant role in providing food, employment, and preserving cultural heritage, as they operate near the coast in areas commonly used by humans. These areas are also biodiversity hotspots, serving as habitats for many commercial species’ juveniles.

SSF are generally more species-specific, resulting in fewer by-catches, and they are considered to have a lower impact on ecosystems, making them a more sustainable fishing practice. However, due to the lack of data, the true impact of SSF on ecosystems is not well understood.

The focus then shifts to the importance of integrating digital technologies into SSF. The question is not whether SSF should adopt digital technologies but rather how and which technologies to use. Some of the suggested technologies include trackers (such as based on GPRS and AIS) for high temporal resolution tracking, logbooks (paper or electronic), on-board cameras to monitor activity, catches, and by-catches, activity sensors like winches, and environmental/oceanographic monitoring either passively on fishing boats or gears.

The purpose of collecting detailed information through these technologies is to gain a better understanding of the fishing systems. The presentation poses questions such as whether it is more beneficial to obtain information from logbooks or cameras, what temporal resolution is required, and whether fishing boats can contribute to improving climate models for better climate change forecasts.

High-resolution fishing effort data is necessary for several reasons. Firstly, the ocean is a shared resource, and if it is not in a good state, there are risks for stocks and biodiversity collapse. Spatial management, such as marine spatial planning, can help avoid spatial competition and conflicts with other uses of the marine environment. Additionally, high-resolution data can provide insights into the impact of fishing on ecosystems, including the ability to observe the effects of management measures. This information is valuable for the establishment and management of marine protected areas. Furthermore, high-resolution data supports economic and social studies and is essential for stock assessment models, complementing traditional survey information.

She concluded her presentation with the emphasis on the need for data and knowledge to support decision-making in SSF. It highlights the importance of integrating digital technologies to gather detailed information about fishing activities, ecosystems, and the impact of fishing practices. By understanding and analysing this data, stakeholders can work towards sustainable fisheries management and the preservation of marine resources.

The presentation by André Dias focused on leveraging digital technology to benefit SSF and coastal communities, ultimately contributing to a more sustainable ocean. The speaker began by quoting their father, who believed that as long as there are fish in the sea, people will never go hungry. This quote emphasises the importance of preserving viable fisheries for future generations.

The two main topics highlighted in the presentation included marine spatial planning and online fish market apps. The speaker showcased several maps depicting fishing locations to enhance understanding and facilitate better management of fishing activities. One map displayed the fishing grounds of a group of seiners in the Western Algarve, utilising the Automatic Identification System (AIS) to track fishing activity. These maps help visualise the fishing areas and provide valuable insights into the dynamics of fishing activities.

He also emphasised on the emergence of new activities encroaching upon marine spaces, making it crucial to preserve viable fisheries within sustainable fishing grounds. One proposed approach is live monitoring of fishing activity to protect these fishing grounds. By establishing the value of each fishing zone and quantifying production in terms of the value and quantity of fish per hectare, it can become possible to optimise the fishing sector and maximise production through sustainable fishing gear.

He also addressed the issue of illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing in the Western Algarve of Portugal, using online fish-market apps as a means to combat this problem. These apps provide a platform for understanding and addressing various issues related to IUU fishing. He highlighted the prohibited sale of certain species, damaged or irregularly sized fish, and tax evasion as key concerns. Additionally, there was a recognition of the immoral discrepancy between the auction price and the price paid by consumers, indicating the need for fair and transparent practices.

To address these challenges, the speaker proposed the establishment of direct fish commercialisation circuits between fishers and consumers in coastal communities. Specifically, the development of an application controlled by Docapesca, an organisation involved in the fishing industry, would enable direct online purchases of fish from the fishers. This approach aims to bridge the gap between fishers and consumers, ensuring fair pricing and reducing opportunities for illegal practices.

The three panelists included Luis Bentes, Fisheries Biologist at the Center of Marine Sciences, Portugal; Helena Cardoso, Director Commercial, Communications, and Marketing at Docapesca, Portugal; and João Escudeiro from the Directorate-General for Natural Resources, Safety, and Maritime Services (DGRM), Portugal.

During the session, Helena explained how the Docapesca online platform connects fishers with consumers, providing fishers with the opportunity to create their own online stores. The platform, currently in the development phase, allows fishers to offer fresh fish for sale. The auction process on the platform is simple, and buyers can assess the quality of the fish through pictures and descriptions.

Luis highlighted a challenge faced by SSF in the Algarve region, where boats typically range from 6 to 7 meters in size; it is difficult to install digital tools on these smaller vessels, and they often lack the necessary energy backup to power such tools. To address this, it is important to demonstrate the benefits of digitalisation to fishers. If they understand and recognise these benefits, they are more likely to support and embrace digital technologies.

The discussion also touched on the changing demographics of the fishing industry. It was mentioned that there is an influx of younger fishers, most of whom are around 35 years old. These younger fishers appreciate the potential advantages of digitalisation and recognise its importance. However, Andre pointed out that there is a shortage of workers, as many laborers in the fisheries sector come from countries like the Philippines and Pakistan, often working for low wages or receiving a smaller share of the catch sale compared to Portuguese workers. This situation leads to a loss of knowledge and experience when these workers do not work long-term with the fishers. Marta expressed concern over this issue, considering it a form of exploitation and modern-day slavery, irrespective of the workers’ nationalities.

Andre further mentioned that fishers are required to provide data in logbooks, and failure to do so results in fines. However, the process of data collection needs simplification, and Docapesca can play a role in assisting fishers with this process.

João emphasised the importance of vessel monitoring, noting that vessels up to 8 meters in size can be equipped with Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS). Communication with satellites is crucial for effective monitoring. However, there is a gap in the digital process after the first sale of the fish.

The participants agreed that all stakeholders recognise the importance of digitalisation in fisheries. They acknowledged that involving fishers in decision-making processes is crucial to gain their trust and secure their support for implementing digital tools. Fishers are key players in the digitalisation process, and their understanding of the benefits is essential. Interaction and engagement with fishers are important, and projects like Fish-X can serve as examples to showcase the advantages of digitalisation for all stakeholders involved in fisheries.

The participants expressed support for initiatives like Fish-X and expressed a desire to see its progress and learn from its outcomes, as it can serve as an important project for fisheries digitalisation across the European Union.

The participants were highly engaged in the conversation by writing comments and questions, which created a dynamic and interactive Q/A session. Nasrullah Ali concluded the webinar by thanking all the speakers, panelists, and participants for joining the webinar and informed that EU Tech Chamber will continue to organise such webinars and events to promote the awareness about the project and its progress in the future. 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.