L2M – FishNet Map: A Satellite-Based Fishing Hotspot Mapping Service

The FishNet Map project aims to create a practical, user-friendly mapping service that helps identify fishing hotspots in near real-time using satellite observations and environmental data. By integrating multi-source satellite observation with real-time weather and sea-state forecasts, the platform pinpoints optimal fishing zones, predicts hotspot shifts, and flags risks such as storms or restricted areas. The project will focus on building an early demonstration version of this service for a pilot region in the North Atlantic, with the long-term goal of scaling it across Canadian waters and beyond. This project addresses a major challenge in the fishing industry: inefficient and time-consuming searches for fish that increase fuel costs, greenhouse gas emissions, and safety risks for crews. By providing data-driven guidance, FishNet Map will help reduce time spent at sea, lower operating costs, and improve decision-making for fishers and regulators alike. The project also supports sustainability efforts by reducing unnecessary fuel use and promoting responsible fishing practices. For the partner organization, this initiative demonstrates how cutting-edge satellite and ocean data can be translated into actionable tools. It will help validate the commercial potential of such a service, establish initial customer connections, and set the foundation for a scalable business model.

Faculty Supervisor:

Masoud Mahdianpari

Student:

Partner:

Springboard Atlantic Inc.

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Aquaculture and Fishing; Environmental Science and Technology; Artificial Intelligence

University:

Memorial University of Newfoundland

Program: