The Alaska Longline Fishermen’s Association (ALFA) will begin using artificial intelligence in an electronic monitoring review for Alaska fixed gear fishermen, all thanks to a $485,000 grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.
ALFA said in a July 29 statement that they will partner with the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission (PSMFC) and Archipelago Marine Research to enhance Archipelago’s FishVue AI tool and train it for the Alaska sablefish and halibut fixed gear fisheries.
“This project aims to increase efficiency and lower the fleet’s overall observer costs,” said Lauren Howard, policy coordinator for ALFA. “Many small boat fishermen prefer EM systems over human observers, so increasing the usefulness and effectiveness of EM should have direct benefits to our members and Alaska’s fixed gear fleet in general.”
Gord Snell, president and CEO of Archipelago, noted that ALFA and Archipelago have worked together for more than a decade to build practical effective monitoring programs.
He said the project is a testament to what’s possible when strong, community-focused organizations come together with a shared commitment to innovation.
“This project will expand the use of Archipelago’s industry leading FishVue AI technology to over 300 vessels in North America and ensure that modern monitoring tools are not just theoretical – they are actively supporting fishing communities and improving fisheries management in Alaska,” Snell said.
The project addresses the NOAA Fisheries Electronic Technology Implementation Plan (2021-2025) priority to test integration of machine learning and artificial intelligence algorithms into EM review protocols.
It also addresses the NFWF priority of “modernizing data management systems to reduce costs and improve consistency, interoperability, quality, and/or usability of information collected using e-technology.” On Jan. 23, 2025, the government published Executive Order 14179, “Removing Barriers to American Leadership in Artificial Intelligence.”
Caren Brady, senior program manager at PSMFC, said the commission is pleased to partner in this project.
“Efficiencies we gain through use of artificial intelligence protocols could lead to improved cost-effectiveness and faster turnaround times for video review, which then would open up the possibilities to apply this EM technology to more vessels and additional fisheries sectors,” she said. “Effective monitoring is a key to sustainable fisheries and our ability to fish for generations to come.”
ALFA officials said they will also collaborate with OnDeck AI, a Canadian based AI firm that was also awarded a grant from NFWF, theirs to build Universal Species ID.
OnDeck’s AI approach automatically classifies any species in EM footage across all gear types, cameras and conditions. OnDeck plans to use EM data to test and validate system performance. The company is working with partners in NOAA Fisheries New England, Southeast, West Coast and Alaska regions, alongside EM firms, industry associations and non-government agencies, including ALFA.
The technology is expected to further enable automated review of all maritime data from underwater, surface and aerial footage, to advance fisheries and marine conservation holistically while making monitoring more affordable and accessible to the fishing industry.
