New report identifies 10+ technologies shaping the future of fisheries management as industry reaches midpoint of the UN Ocean Decade

SAFET (Seafood and Fisheries Emerging Technologies), a global nonprofit initiative connecting ocean-technology providers with the seafood and fisheries sector, today released a new insight brief outlining how emerging technologies can drive more sustainable fisheries management and stronger ocean protection.

Titled The Fourth Industrial Revolution at Sea: How New Technologies Enable More Sustainable Management of Fisheries and the Ocean Environment, the report identifies more than 10 technologies already helping address critical challenges such as illegal fishing, bycatch reduction, and supply-chain transparency.

Alongside the report, SAFET launched SEA-TECH-IN-MOTION, a new interactive platform and database highlighting real-world deployments and case studies of these technologies across global fisheries and seafood supply chains.

Technology at a Turning Point for Seafood and Fisheries

The release comes at a pivotal moment for the sector. Sustainable seafood sales reached a record high in 2025, driven by growing consumer demand. Research shows that 38 per cent of European consumers and 42 per cent of North American shoppers now consider sustainability when purchasing seafood.

Despite this progress, significant challenges remain. An estimated 20 per cent of global fish catches are linked to illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, costing the global economy billions of dollars annually. Bycatch continues to threaten marine biodiversity, while seafood mislabeling affects roughly 40 per cent of products worldwide, undermining consumer trust.

As governments and industry work toward a global target to protect 30 per cent of the ocean by 2030, SAFET’s report provides a practical roadmap for how technology can help close the gap between ambition and implementation.

Four Priority Areas for Impact

The insight brief focuses on four critical themes shaping sustainable seafood and fisheries management:

Improving transparency and consumer confidence in sustainable seafood programs

Reducing bycatch and other unintended impacts of legal fishing

Combating IUU fishing and preventing illegal catch from entering supply chains

Strengthening broader ocean management, protection, and enforcement

Across these areas, the report examines technologies including electronic monitoring and logbooks, vessel-tracking systems, digital traceability platforms, artificial intelligence and machine learning tools, and bycatch-reduction solutions.

From Awareness to Action: SEA-TECH-IN-MOTION

To move beyond theory, SAFET’s SEA-TECH-IN-MOTION platform provides decision-makers with direct access to verified, real-world examples of these technologies in use. The database features an interactive global map of projects and allows users to filter case studies by technology type, region, company, and use case.

The platform is designed as a living resource, with new deployments and updated results added regularly. Technology providers, government agencies, and NGOs are invited to submit projects for inclusion.

“Halfway through the Ocean Decade, momentum is building—but leaders across seafood and fisheries need greater clarity and confidence to scale what works,” said Inga Wise, Executive Director of SAFET. “By showcasing proven deployments and measurable results, SAFET is helping decision-makers adopt the technologies needed to meet 2030 sustainability goals.”

Expanding SAFET’s Role in Ocean Innovation

Best known for its biennial ocean-technology conference, SAFET has expanded its mission to provide year-round insights, tools, and connections for stakeholders across fisheries, seafood supply chains, government, and civil society. The organization’s next conference is scheduled for September 2026 in Cebu, Philippines.