Hunting ghost fishing gear for fishery sustainability using autonomous underwater vehicles

This article describes a method of using autonomous underwater vehicles (AUV) and visible light communication to locate ghost fishing gears. Ghost fishing refers to derelict fishing gear which continues to function and induce mortality of aquatic organisms without human control. So far, derelict and lost fishing gears are a major global problem. A comprehensive solution is proposed here for dealing with the issue of the ghost fishing gear. This solution includes hardware and software solutions, respectively. In terms of hardware, a light weight, hand-carried AUV, an omni-directional LED light ball which is a passive optical communication device are used. In terms of software, there are three apps running on mobile devices: the registration system of fishing gear for the owner, checking the fishing gear by the coast guard during the departure examination and location logger of fishing gear when deploying and recovering the fishing gear. To implement the idea of hunting the ghost fishing gear, USD$300,000 is required. This work will be executed over three years. In the first year, small light balls with passive optical communication and Bluetooth will be developed. An AUV with optical transceiver will be developed and tested based on a well-established prototype AUV in the second year. In the third year, the apps for fishing gear management will be built. This system will be tested in the field where an AUV searches light balls attached on fishing gears. Effective management and control of fishing gear can manage the incidence of ghost fishing gear. It is expected that the system not only protects marine life but also reduces marine litter. This work provides a view of using the AUV and communication technology to drive commercial fisheries towards sustainability.