How Smart Tech is Teaching Us About Our Oceans, One Catch at a Time

Picture our world as a giant game of dominoes. One tiny nudge can set off a chain reaction where everything topples over. While climate shifts are altering our atmosphere and landscapes; they are reshaping the oceans, too, and tiny nudges in the ocean have big impacts on our daily lives.

Think about it; our oceans are life’s supermarkets for more than three billion people, and they provide a livelihood for 12 percent of the global population, according to the Nature Conservancy. But if fishermen cannot find fish, we have major problems. Climate change is throwing fish migration off-kilter, which can contribute to overfishing, meaning there are not enough adults to breed and sustain a healthy fish population. Imagine casting your net, only to pull it in empty or filled with species you cannot keep. That is becoming the reality for many around the world.

Now, imagine a solution that does not just help fishermen fish, but can also help us better understand our marine ecosystems.

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Innovation below the waves

According to Fish Focus, “In Orkney, fishermen report that Brown Crab’s migration is happening later each year. Fishermen and fisheries scientists think that increasing temperatures are causing this change. However, they do not have the numerical evidence to support their observations. Data collected will help fishermen and scientists know what factors are influencing the Brown Crab migration.”

Enter the heroes of our story: Heriot-Watt University, SafetyNet, and the Cisco Research Centre, with support from Cisco’s Country Digital Acceleration (CDA) program. Together, they are on a mission to empower fishermen with knowledge about the changing seas.

The secret weapon? Smart fishing gear. They have equipped the fishermen in Orkney Island, UK, with gear decked out with tiny ocean sensors. These little marvels collect vital data on water temperature, salinity, and more – ultimately, they are like underwater weather forecasters.

But here is where the magic happens: our IoT edge intelligence swoops in, processing all that data faster than you can say “fish tacos.” Then, it is off to the dashboard via our IoT edge gateway and Cisco Ultra Wireless Backhaul. Fishermen can now get real-time insights into what’s happening below the waves, helping them navigate the seas and avoid barren spots.

What is the payoff? Time and money saved for fishermen, and a win-win for marine life. By helping fishermen avoid unproductive areas, we are giving fish populations a chance to rebound and ecosystems time to heal.

These efforts are not just about big corporations or governments saving the day or stopping the dominoes from falling. Every organization, big or small, has a role to play. By teaming up with the right partners and supporting local communities, we can build a stronger, better future for all, not just on land, but below the waves as well.