Technology, experience and decision-making: the new reality for the fishing captain
Technological advancement, artificial intelligence and training are redefining the role of the captain, who must now transform acoustic data into precise decisions in pursuit of more efficient and sustainable fishing.
Talking about professional fishing today means talking about information, about reading the environment with precision, and about how technology plays an increasingly decisive role in every working day at sea. Rising operational costs, regulatory pressure, the need to reduce bycatch and the constant pursuit of greater efficiency are forcing a rethinking of how decisions are made on board. Today's captain operates in a landscape that combines a growing volume of available data, systems with ever-expanding capabilities, and margins for error that narrow with every decision made at sea. In this context, technology has moved from being an accessory to becoming a strategic tool, provided that those who operate it have the training needed to interpret and make the most of it.
The human factor: who operates the equipment defines the outcome
An efficient operation is not determined solely by the equipment installed on board, but by who operates it and with what judgment. Today's detection systems offer levels of precision that would have been unthinkable a decade ago. Yet their true value only emerges when the captain understands what they are seeing on screen, adjusts the parameters to match the conditions at sea, and translates acoustic data into concrete decisions in real time. Technology does not replace experience, it amplifies and extends it.
Artificial intelligence
One of the most significant advances in recent years has been the integration of artificial intelligence into acoustic equipment. These developments are not designed to automate decisions, but to assist the captain in interpreting large volumes of information in real time, without replacing their judgment or expertise. Species identification based on acoustic patterns is not an infallible promise, it is a tool that learns, adjusts and improves progressively through validated data and experience accumulated under real fishing conditions. This capability will allow captains to assess the presence of the target species before making a set, reduce operational uncertainty and minimise bycatch, with a direct impact on the efficiency of every trip.
Navalia 2026 and the Fish ID project
Navalia brings together the leading players in the naval and fishing industry in a setting that goes well beyond equipment exhibitions. It is a meeting point where captains, vessel owners, technicians and suppliers exchange perspectives on the real challenges facing the sector.
It is within this context that Seaman Europa will present its new project. Fish ID is a development that integrates artificial intelligence into CHIRP echosounders to identify species in real time based on their acoustic signatures. Unlike traditional acoustics, which display echoes that must be manually interpreted, this system learns how each species responds to different frequencies and helps the captain understand not only where the fish are, but what species they are. This enables more precise decision-making, reducing effort and bycatch while improving the efficiency of every fishing trip. It is an evolving project, designed for real on-board use, combining technology with operational experience.
Training and support
As systems become more complex, the training of the captain becomes just as important as the technology itself. Understanding how a detection system responds to variations in depth, temperature, noise or changes in species behaviour is essential to unlocking its full potential. In this context, specialised technical support is no longer an added value, it becomes an integral part of the system. This is why Seaman provides 24/7 remote assistance and an online training platform through our YouTube channel.
An industry in transformation
The future of the fishing industry does not lie solely in the adoption of more powerful systems, but in the coherent integration of technology, experience and training. An equation in which the captain is, and will always remain, the central figure. We invite you to explore these topics further at Navalia 2026. Come visit us at stand 2D14.