Another 75 AngelFish arrive in Madagascar
The solar powered Angelfish is a low cost AIS vessel tracker and SOS platform.
AngelFish is a complete, stand-alone vessel tracker, but put a few together, and they become an excellent platform for governments to do ocean resource management by providing SOS functionality and catch traceability for small-scale and subsistence fishermen. AngelFish is already a proven solution for hook-to-cook programme implementations across various cultures and conditions.
AngelFish evolved from extensive field trials in the remote, coastal areas of Madagascar, Zanzibar, and West Africa. Through field studies conducted over a period of 5 years, we were able to build a device that can be operated by fishers and withstand the harsh environmental conditions at sea.
The Madagascar field trial was one of the first Angelfish case studies we conducted, and perhaps still our most challenging to date. That is why we are absolutely delighted to announce that we delivered another batch of brand new Angelfish to our local Madagascan partner Ibonia who will ensure that all devices are installed on fishing vessels.
The Angelfish mission for Madagascar:
Improving the safety of life at sea for their small-scale fishermen to reduce the socio-economic impact when lives are lost at sea;
Increasing maritime security and surveillance to combat smuggling of rosewood, drugs, people, and arms; and
To monitor changing fishing patterns to facilitate small-scale fisheries management.
Significant groundwork was required to ensure the buy-in and support of the various government bodies having a say in anything related to fishing in this region. Considering that fishing remains one of the mainstays of the Madagascan economy, several institutions have mandates touching on this important sector.
Our workshops and seminars included the following Madagascan organisations:
C.F.I.M. – responsible for regional maritime security;
APFM – the agency dealing with ports and maritime traffic in general;
COFONA – the Madagascan Navy;
CSP – which effectively acts as the fisheries police; and finally
ARTEC – the radio licensing authority.
AngelFish was developed in partnership with exactEarth with support from the UK Space Agency through the International Partnership Programme (IPP).
