New data platform gives real-time intel to fishermen and scientists for fishing quotas
A new data platform that gives fishermen real-time information about their catches was installed on 38 vessels in the Belgian fleet, Fisheries advisor Annie Cool announced on Wednesday during the presentation of the biennial fishers report.
Minister of Fisheries Hilde Crevits wants to make better use of immediate catch information from fishermen. The new data platform allows them to instantly see what they have caught and send the intel directly to scientists, resulting in better advice when determining fishing quotas. "In this way, we want to provide better scientific advice in the future to determine fishing quotas," Cool said.
Currently, European fishing quotas are still decided based on two-year-old information. "However, fish populations evolve rapidly, so it is necessary that we work with recent figures," Cool said.
Crevits also hopes to use Belgium's European presidency to negotiate fish quotas more productively: "We have a mediating role. We want to listen to what other member states want for future European policy. It is important to then also make recommendations for fisheries policy in the future."
© BELGA PHOTO KURT DESPLENTER
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