Fishing Vessel Ocean Observing Network: An Emerging Collaborative Global Network

There is a growing need for enhanced surface and subsurface coastal observations to enable integrated modelling and decision-support tools. Fishing vessels can serve as platforms for hosting and deploying an assortment of oceanographic instrumentation. Furthermore, many types of fishing gear already profile through the water column, presenting a unique subsurface data collection opportunity. Integrating ocean data collection with fishing vessel operations complements existing ocean observing networks by enabling the cost-effective acquisition of surface and subsurface ocean data, significantly expanding coverage in data-sparse regions. Counterintuitively, the shelf and coastal regions, where most fisheries operate, are among the most data scarce areas, especially for subsurface physical oceanographic data, which fishing vessels are so well suited to collect. These data can benefit fisheries science by coupling environmental information with catches, improving physical coastal and ocean models, and encouraging greater involvement of fishery stakeholders in the scientific process. This approach creates a win–win because the fishing industry can leverage the data to adopt innovative solutions to improve fisheries sustainability, profitability, and community resilience. To maximize these benefits and complement existing ocean observing networks, an emerging global network: the Fishing Vessel Ocean Observing Network (FVON), has been formed. FVON aims to foster the proliferation of collaborative cost-effective ocean data collection, democratize ocean observations, establish community standards and best practices, and facilitate observation uptake to improve ocean predictions while promoting sustainable fishing practices.