erice 732 Posted January 30, 2020 Share Posted January 30, 2020 very cool New Scientist reported this week that birds carrying radar sensors have been used in the Indian Ocean to spy on fishing boats, with more than a quarter of vessels there found to be operating illegally. The sensors (strapped) detect radar signals from fishing ships, and then log them against location and time data. That data is then cross-checked against AIS (Automatic Identification System) records. AIS data effectively declares where a ship is at all times, and illegal fishers often turn their AIS system off to avoid detection - if an AIS record isn't available for a radar detection, there's a good chance the fishermen were operating illegally, New Scientist wrote. Albatrosses make excellent fishery spies, because they naturally gravitate towards fishing vessels for a chance at an easy meal, and can traverse long distances at sea. https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/new-zealand-using-its-own-fleet-albatross-spies-look-illegal-fishing 4 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Black Panther 1,568 Posted January 30, 2020 Share Posted January 30, 2020 Damn those scientists. They probably made it all up so they can put up taxes Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ex Elly 197 Posted January 30, 2020 Share Posted January 30, 2020 Umm, no. Illegal fishing is a problem, as we are depleting a limited resource. Using Albatrosses to spy on fishing boats is a good idea as long as the tagging of the birds is not detrimental to them. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
wal 27 Posted February 1, 2020 Share Posted February 1, 2020 Whooosh!............ Splattt!!! (that was his point going over your head and hitting the wall......) Sorry Elly - you may not have noticed BP's sarcasm there..... 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.