The goal of the European Space Agency’s BASS (Business Applications and Space Solutions) Funding is to support the development of commercially successful space-based business applications in Europe, by providing funding, technical and business support for entrepreneurs. Businesses from any sector can apply to ESA Business Applications’ Open Calls at any time.
Call For Proposals: Responsible Fishing
Fishing plays a crucial role in our food security, serving as a sustainable source of protein which are essential components of a healthy and balanced diet. However, the fishing industry faces significant threats from illegal fishing, pollution and climate change. On the other hand, consumers are changing their behaviour becoming more conscious of their carbon footprint and seeking sustainable diets that promote health. This shift has led to a growing demand for fish and fish-derived products. Therefore, urgent solutions are required to meet the current demand for food and address the future increase in food demand over the coming years.
Upcoming regulations will support sustainable practices, enhance traceability and protect biodiversity. Once fully adopted, a complete digitalisation of the sector is expected and a huge amount of data coming e.g. from electronic logging or on-board cameras will be available. The availability of the information will offer the opportunity to build solid solutions which are expected to benefit honest fishers, support the climate and biodiversity commitments and also serve the law enforcement bodies. The added value of the data coming from the vessels will even be higher when such data are integrated with space-based data.
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Businesses from any sector can apply to ESA Business Applications’ Open Calls at any time. This opportunity is open to companies that intend to develop space-enabled services and products related, but not restricted, to the topics of relevance.
You must be based in an ESA eligible country: this includes the UK. A full list is available at the link below.
We are looking for motivated teams who can demonstrate credible business and, technical expertise, with promising ideas for space applications that address relevant topics or related areas and demonstrate:
- credible customer engagement and clearly identified customer needs
- clear market potential leading to commercially viable service concepts
- potential technical feasibility with a pathway to implementable solutions
- clear added value from the use of space data or space-based technologies
Potential Tenderers are strongly advised to contact the National Delegation(s) of the countries where their industrial partners (Prime and Subcontractors) are located as soon as possible and to apply for a Written Authorisation for ESA funding, as such authorisation is required for the Full Proposal.
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The challenges were identified in conversation with European Association of Fish Producers Organisations (EAPO), International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF), and Marine Stewardship Council (MSC). The use-cases below reflect the priority topics that this call is trying to address.
- Illegal, Unregulated and Unreported fishing (IUU): IUU fishing threatens marine sustainability and costs the global economy billions.
- Overfishing and stock depletion: Overfishing harms biodiversity, food security, and livelihoods. Fishing stocks are also affected by changing ocean conditions due to climate change.
- Habitat destruction and bycatch: Non-selective fishing practices damage sensitive habitats and result in high bycatch of non-targeted species, including endangered ones.
- Monitoring of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs): MPAs are key for ecosystem recovery, but remote locations make monitoring challenging.
- Product traceability and certification: Traceability is crucial for sustainable claims and market access.
- Ghost gear and marine pollution: Abandoned gear continues to trap marine life and pollute ecosystems.
- Monitoring of Harmful Algae Blooms (HABs): HABs cause fish kills, shellfish toxicity, economic losses, and ecosystem damage.
- Worker safety in fisheries: Fishing is a high-risk occupation with a high rate of fatalities and injuries due to onboard, environmental, biological and machinery-related hazards.
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Space assets, data and technologies can help promote sustainable fishing practices in a number of ways:
SatEO data helps:
- monitor water quality
- detect pollution
- assess habitat health
- understand fish habitats and distribution by offering crucial environmental indicators including sea surface temperature and chlorophyll concentration
- support fish stock assessments
- support ecosystem management
SatNav technology helps:
- improve vessel tracking and management
- ensure that regulations are followed
- combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
- optimise fleet operations
- reduce fuel consumption
- enhance safety at sea
- detect illegal fishing by identifying suspicious vessel behaviour
- enable targeted inspections of vessels.
- Automatic Identification System (AIS) transporters transmit the ships’ position, their speed and course limited to coastal areas.
- Satellite AIS (SAT-AIS) overcomes the limitation and allows for global coverage.
SatCom enables real-time tracking and management of fishing vessels. It can
- enhance surveillance to combat IUU fishing
- improve safety at sea
- provide authorities with timely updates on vessel positions allowing for efficient monitoring and enforcement of regulations
- support accurate fish stock assessments and environmental monitoring
- VHF Data Exchange System Satellite (VDE-SAT) is encrypted and in the future will enable two-way communication between vessels and ports where there are no terrestrial communications
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ESA offers:
- zero-equity funding (50-80% depending on SME Status and Member State Approval)
- technical and commercial guidance
- access to our network and partners
- ESA brand credibility
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ESA will hold a webinar on Monday 2 February at 11am CET (10am UK time): click here to register for a place.