Spanish Satlink to continue managing Balearic artisanal fishing fleet

The Government of the Balearic Islands, Spain has renewed its contract with the Spanish technology company Satlink to continue using its monitoring and localization systems (VMS) across its artisanal fishing fleet, which consists of 260 vessels.

With this new contract, the government aims to provide the most advanced and cutting-edge mechanisms to ensure transparent, sustainable, and responsible sourcing catches.

The process involves registering the vessel's identification data, as well as its position, heading, and speed, and then transmitting this information at programmable regular intervals to the management platform overseen by the fishing authorities. Additionally, it will include 64 additional units for the new vessel's incorporation and replacement.

Satlink will continue to handle the comprehensive maintenance of both the devices and the platform from which the General Directorate of Fishing of the Government of the Balearic Islands manages the tracking information sent from the fishing boats.

Since 2021

Satlink has been installing these devices, also known as "green boxes," since 2021. These contracts are part of the development of the decree regulating the Vessel Localization and Tracking System for Fishing Boats in the Balearic Islands (SLSEPIB), approved in February 2019. Currently, the Spanish company also provides its green box equipment to the Andalusian government.

"It is gratifying that the Balearic government has renewed its trust in our technology and service to continue advancing in the management of its fishery, thus providing better data for decision-making, increasing traceability, monitoring fishing activities, and managing fishing effort," Satlink Commercial Director of Satlink Pedro Vigil expressed.

In June, the Spanish tuna fleet confirmed its participation in the 'SelecTuna' project, which deploys over 1,500 Satlink buoys in the three oceans where tropical tuna is fished (Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian).