Belize selects Satlink as official electronic monitoring provider

The Belize High Seas Fisheries Unit (BHSFU) has selected technology company Satlink as its official Electronic Monitoring (EM) provider for its high-seas fleet.

This decision aligns with Belize's plan to implement an Electronic Monitoring Program (EMP) across its industrial high-seas fishing fleet by 2027.

The system combines onboard cameras, sensors and positioning technologies to document fishing activity, identify species, estimate catches and georeference fishing operations.

All this information is securely transmitted via Starlink connectivity and made available through Horus, Satlink's cloud-based platform, for data review, analysis, reporting and traceability.

Finally, Digital Observer Services (DOS), Satlink's specialized data analysis subsidiary, reviews the footage, assesses fishing activity and provides detailed monitoring reports to the BHSFU.

By strengthening the country's Monitoring, Control and Surveillance (MCS) capabilities and improving fisheries traceability, Belize will enhance the transparency and sustainability of its high-seas fleet.

This project is part of Belize's Blue Bonds for Ocean Conservation initiative, supported by The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and funded through the Belize Fund for a Sustainable Future.

"The project reflects the shared commitment of the BHSFU and Satlink to advancing transparent, accountable and sustainable fisheries management through innovative technological solutions, enabling more efficient oversight and greater traceability across global fishing operations," the statement said.