Inmarsat and its service partner Satlink have won the first ever European contract to migrate those working in the fishing industry from a paper logbook system to electronic recording and reporting as required by EU Directive 1077/2088.
This mandatory legislation calls for all masters of fishing vessels over 15m in length to migrate their logbook operation from manual to electronic recording and reporting system (ERS) by July 2011. Phase one applies to vessels over 24m in length that must comply with the regulation by 1 January 2010. The second phase of the regulation requires all fishing boats between 15m and 24m to move to ERS by 1 July 2011. Electronic logbooks for smaller vessels under 15m are not mandatory, but this size of vessel will be obliged to maintain paper records.
The Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) in Cork, Ireland is the first member of the European Union to have tendered and awarded the ERS contract for around 100 fishing vessels which are over 24m in length. The tender sent out by the SFPA is being considered as the blueprint for the rest of the European fishing industry affected by this directive
All tender documents will call for recommendations for ERS terminals with an IP based satellite communications service to enable the terminals to transmit and receive ERS data to and from an ERS Hub. The winning bid must be able to prove capacity and expertise to design, develop, implement and manage the project as well as test and monitor. In addition, specialist skills will be required for the successful integration, conversion and migration of data, as well as training.
Commenting on winning the first European tender, Jens Heinsdorf, Technical Manager at Satlink, who led the team drawn from Inmarsat, Satlink, Stratos and Sirius IT said: “An electronic recording and reporting system will make the process more efficient, more accurate and less costly. Our Satlink solution was the most cost effective, winning a very competitive and professional bidding war. I believe the winning team offered a business solution that demonstrated an unparalled depth of experience and know-how in the Irish fishing sector.”
Current data requirements include departure, catch, landing, gear used, etc. similar to the EU paper logbook. The ERS terminal consists of three components: the dedicated laptop to allow data entry, Sirius IT vCatch e-logbook software and Satlink FB250 satellite communication hardware.
According to Mr Heinsdorf, Inmarsat FleetBroadband service was the most logical choice because of its unbeatable quality. Said Heinsdorf, “FleetBroadband 250 not only fulfils the ERS requirement, but provides the vessel with a complete office solution for the fishermen to use.”
The successful implementation of e-Logbooks is expected to result in real-time catch information which will lead to improved data quality which will improve sustainability of the world’s fish stocks by helping to optimise the economic returns from fisheries and ensure that the larger fish stocks are harvested efficiently at sustainable levels. With stock levels recorded in ‘real time’ the fishing industry will be able to maximise its economic return from harvested fish and shellfish.
In addition to Ireland, Spain will have around 2,300 vessels and the UK some 1,300 vessels to be switched to electronic recording before the deadline.
