Kongsberg and Viam have expanded their partnership to enhance commercial fishing catches through intelligent automation of fishing sonars.
The partners have formally extended their collaboration to deploy Sonar AI, a virtual sonar operator designed for integration with Simrad fishing sonars, including the newly introduced SY60.
“Sonar AI acts as a virtual sonar operator, detecting fish in real time and alerting crews instantly,” the companies stated.
Demand for AI
The move reflects increasing demand for artificial intelligence in commercial fishing, where operators are seeking greater efficiency, accuracy and data-driven insights. By embedding AI directly into fishing sonars, the solution aims to transform how crews detect and respond to underwater targets in real time.
Sonar AI continuously monitors sonar data streams, automatically detecting fish and alerting captains and crews the moment targets appear.
The system triggers an audio cue for immediate action, reducing the need for constant manual observation while improving responsiveness onboard.
In addition, the technology records fishing activity over time, enabling analysis of historical data to support more informed and predictive fish-finding strategies.
The solution is compatible with Kongsberg’s Simrad SY60, a high-performance fishing sonar engineered for improved detection, target separation and operational reliability.
It supports clearer visualisation of fish movements and seabed conditions, providing a robust platform for AI-driven enhancements.
By combining advanced fishing sonars with artificial intelligence, Kongsberg and Viam are positioning Sonar AI as a key enabler of smarter, more efficient commercial fishing operations, supporting both productivity gains and more sustainable fishing practices.
