Catalyzing local collaborations for global impact, democratizing ocean data
for a healthier, safer, and more sustainable blue planet.

CONCEPT

Fishing vessels offer a unique data collection capability compared to traditional ocean observation platforms.  Oceanographic instruments are mounted on fishing gear (nets, traps, etc) and then collect profiles of the water column as the gear drops down to the bottom and is hauled back up during normal fishing operations. As soon as the net or trap surfaces, data is relayed to a deck hub via bluetooth, and then automatically on to the cloud – all without interfering with normal fishing operations. ​

Diagram showing the Ocean Data Network concept: fishing vessel collecting oceanographic data through instruments on fishing gear, with data flowing to cloud management, analysis, and applications including fisheries science, maritime safety, and climate monitoring

FVON

We are leading the Fishing Vessel Ocean Observing Network (FVON), which is the international coordinating group dedicated to advancing fishing vessel based ocean observing. FVON is an endorsed project by the UN Decade of Ocean Science and Sustainable Development under the GOOS CoastPredict program. We are aiming to become a network within the Global Ocean Observing System so that fishing vessel based ocean observations can be a globally accepted tool, with the mission of becoming the coastal complement to the Argo program. Learn more. 

World map showing the Fishing Vessel Ocean Observing Network (FVON) global reach with 11 established projects in 9 countries and 10 pilot projects in 6 countries
United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development 2021-2030 logo