Electronic monitoring programs conducted by AZTI and DATAFISH in the Spanish tuna fisheries

Advances in technology have led the electronic monitoring (EM) to be positioned as a tool capable of improving fisheries monitoring. Tuna RFMOs (Regional Fisheries Management Organizations) are currently discussing the potential use of this technology as an alternative data collection tool, which could lead to a higher and more efficient at sea monitoring coverage. In this context, there are several EM programs and initiatives that have been developed in Spain in recent years. This document aims to comprehensively describe three of these EM programs in the purse seine, longline, bait boat and troll Spanish tuna fisheries. In addition, a SWOT analysis has been carried out, to finally make a series of recommendations for the implementation of the EM based on the experience gained during the last years.