Update on characterizing the Pakistani tuna gillnet fleet through satellite imagery: preliminary summary of results and next steps

Information on bycatch is limited in many global fisheries, including in Indian Ocean tuna drift gillnet fisheries. The existing data that does exist for the Indian Ocean suggests that bycatch rates in tuna drift gillnets may be very high, particularly for cetaceans, though the data is scattered and incomplete. Most drift gillnet fleets in the Indian Ocean are comprised of relatively small vessels that are poorly documented. This is in contrast with purse seine and pelagic longline fleets operating in this region, for which fleet classification, fishing effort, and target catches are better documented and subject to more reporting requirements under the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC), the regional body for managing tuna fisheries. Considering existing data gaps, this study leverages satellite imagery and machine learning to better understand tuna drift gillnet fleets in the Indian Ocean, with Pakistan as a case study. This study aims to quantify and describe the Pakistani tuna drift gillnet fleet using satellite imagery to quantify and describe tuna drift gillnet vessels in port. A total of 5648.25 boats were counted in this study, with an average of 154.745 tuna drift gillnet vessels per year in the ports of Karachi, Gwadar, and Pishukan. Authors urge caution of interpretation of results as the project is ongoing, with continued vessel counting, model verification, and an analysis of vessel length forthcoming.