Radiant Solutions’ 3-Pronged Approach To Enhanced Fisheries Management

US based firm, Radiant Solutions (a MAXAR company), has a mission to reveal insights to both government and industry, to enhance fishing operations, optimize IUU surveillance and improve protection of stocks. Using three main services, it provides multi-source data through mapping to its clients, to help them understand and navigate the “changing planet” and some of the toughest problems facing it.

The company, which prides itself as having the strongest roots in geospatial information, works with a range of clients from leading US defense and intelligence agencies, multiple allied nations, and “hundreds of commercial customers.” The firm currently offers three main services that tune in closely with some of the major issues present in the tuna industry.

Its SeaStar Fisheries Information Service “reveals insights to optimize fishing operations.” It combines oceanographic and meteorological datasets; asset tracking data; and information that is required by fishermen to monitor and analyze ocean conditions, vessel and fishing gear. It creates fish finding maps from several ocean-observing satellite systems and other scientific marine sources. Ultimately, it is designed to save time and fuel in the operation of fishing vessels like tuna purse seiners and longliners.

“Our services are used by fishermen to monitor and minimize search time and reduce fleet operation costs,” the company says. “SeaStar oceanographic products are processed daily and delivered directly to your vessel at sea for viewing on the ship’s personal computer.” It is explained that combined with local fishing knowledge, captains use SeaStar maps to navigate directly to the closest and most productive fishing areas.

The SeaStar map reveals valuable information such as plankton concentrations, sea surface temperatures, altimetry, currents, sea surface height anomalies and weather forecasts; all factors that can impact the catchability of tuna species.

Another factor that can have a major effect on tuna stocks and their availability is the presence of illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, an issue which Radiant Solutions has worked to find a solution to. Its anti-IUU service, based on its InsightExplorer software platform, is designed to optimize surveillance of IUU fishing – “one of the ocean’s great economic, social and environmental threats.”

This system ingests oceanographic data from a variety of sources and utilizes Automatic Identification Systems (AIS), Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) and high resolution imagery to target potential instances of IUU fishing operations.

Targeted mostly at government and defense surveillance agencies, this service offers “unique fishing activity prediction capabilities” and gives zone infringement alerts for EEZs and Marine Protected Areas. It provides high-resolution satellite images and “conclusive evidence” on illegal activity. Radiant Solutions believes it is the “most accurate and comprehensive vessel monitoring and tracking software” available.

While aquaculture has yet to be a major part of commercial tuna production, tuna species, mostly bluefin, are being farmed and fattened in certain areas of the world, providing a valuable contribution to local economies. Radiant Solutions’ Aquaculture Solutions service is designed to protect aquaculture assets and fish stocks by offering near real-time monitoring of red tides, a more common name for harmful algae blooms.

Its satellite imagery is designed to give short term accurate forecasts on red tide, which can reportedly compromise local and regional economies that are dependent on healthy, functioning environments.

Ultimately, the aim of Radiant Solutions is to provide multi-source data collection to government officials and members of the fishing industry and reveal unique geospatial information “where and when it matters most.” Its main services offer a three-pronged approach to some of the key issues facing tuna industry management in today’s climate.