The European Fisheries Control Agency (EFCA), based in Vigo, will have a budget of three million euros to enhance its aerial surveillance capabilities and monitor compliance with European fishing regulations, reports Faro de Vigo.
The funding is part of a joint contract driven by the EFCA, Frontex, and the European Union Satellite Centre (SatCen). The agreement has a total value of 522.6 million euros and will allow the selection of up to six specialized operators, who may receive specific contracts over the next two years.
In the case of the EFCA, the services will be aimed at monitoring the activity of fishing vessels and detecting possible violations, both in European waters and, when necessary, in international waters or those of third countries.
The contracted means will be manned fixed-wing aircraft with long range, prepared to operate both day and night. They must be able to remain airborne for at least six hours and reach areas located more than 400 nautical miles from their base.
Aircraft to monitor a large number of vessels
The aircraft will be equipped with maritime surveillance radar, AIS systems, electro-optical and infrared cameras, GNSS navigation systems, weather radar, and satellite communications.
The radar must be capable of simultaneously tracking at least 500 targets, allowing for the monitoring of a large number of vessels during each mission.
Additionally, the aircraft will need to transmit images and encrypted data in almost real-time to the EFCA coordination center in Vigo. This way, ground teams can know what the aircraft is observing and decide which vessels require inspection.
The aircraft will not be solely dedicated to fishing surveillance. Among their requirements is also the capability to participate in search and rescue operations.
For this, they must be able to deploy lifeboats capable of carrying at least 30 people, emergency beacons, and a minimum of three search and rescue buoys.
Photo: European Fisheries Control Agency