{"id":9371,"date":"2026-07-31T12:09:26","date_gmt":"2026-07-31T16:09:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.edf.org\/edfish\/?p=9371"},"modified":"2026-07-31T12:09:27","modified_gmt":"2026-07-31T16:09:27","slug":"fishing-for-data","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.edf.org\/edfish\/2026\/07\/31\/fishing-for-data\/","title":{"rendered":"Fishing for Data\u00a0\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
EDF-supported initiative for subsurface temperature data collection receives international recognition\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

By: Samantha Johnstone, Ocean Data Communications & Storytelling Intern, and Aubrey Taylor, High Meadows Fellow, Ocean Data<\/sub><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The fishers at the heart of ocean science<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When Fishing Vessel Ocean Observing Network fishers head out on the water, they are not just fishing. They are helping scientists better understand the ocean that sustains their livelihoods and protects their communities. By just attaching a sensor to their fishing gear, fishers can collect data that is shared directly with scientists who use it to improve forecasts and monitor changing ocean conditions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a>
David Gatt, captain and owner of F\/V Audacious, demonstrating video tools that improve the operational efficiency of Scottish fishers. (Credit: Leslie Von Pless, EDF)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s\u00a0why\u00a0David Gatt in Scotland,\u00a0Osbourne Stewart<\/a>\u00a0in\u00a0The Bahamas<\/a>,\u00a0Nana Kweigyah\u00a0in Ghana<\/a>,\u00a0and\u00a0over 800 other fishers around the world\u00a0participate\u00a0in\u00a0the\u00a0Fishing Vessel Ocean Observing Network,<\/a>\u00a0or FVON.\u00a0Participating in ocean science\u00a0and filling in\u00a0data gaps\u00a0that exist\u00a0beneath the surface of coastal waters\u00a0is a way to give back to\u00a0their communities, who rely on healthy oceans and\u00a0accurate\u00a0weather predictions.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The data collected from\u00a0FVON fishing vessels\u00a0are\u00a0just one piece of\u00a0the\u00a0Global Ocean Observing System<\/a>\u00a0(GOOS),\u00a0the\u00a0United Nations\u00a0coordinating body\u00a0responsible for\u00a0facilitating\u00a0the collection of ocean data around the world.\u00a0Each\u00a0GOOS network\u00a0provides\u00a0its own set of ocean data complementary to other networks. When taken together,\u00a0these\u00a0create\u00a0a\u00a0more\u00a0complete picture of the ocean\u00a0and provide critical\u00a0information\u00a0for\u00a0scientists,\u00a0policymakers\u00a0and\u00a0industry\u00a0to make sustainable, data-driven decisions.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

International recognition for fisher-driven data<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In May, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) \u2013 one of the organizations that co-sponsors GOOS \u2013 released three Statements of Guidance (SoGs) for Atmospheric Applications<\/a>, Cryospheric Applications<\/a> and Oceanic Applications<\/a>. The SoGs each give an overview of current data systems and recommend a roadmap for how they could be improved and expanded according to the needs of national meteorological and hydrological services.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a>
EDF\u2019s Christopher Cusack on an Icelandic fishing vessel, lowering an oceanographic sensor into the water. (Credit: Leslie Von Pless, EDF)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In the Atmospheric Applications Statement of Guidance, FVON was specifically mentioned as an exemplary and critical contributor of subsurface temperature data. The statement commended FVON\u2019s strategy of employing sensors on fishing equipment to fill in subsurface ocean data gaps, thus creating more comprehensive coverage of the three-dimensional ocean and helping to better inform atmospheric models.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Oceanic Applications Statement of Guidance identified several areas of growth, including the need to improve ocean, coastal and climate forecasting. Across all identified areas, temperature was continually recognized as a crucial contributor. The statement also recognized that despite its importance, large gaps remain for temperature data across the ocean. The document listed several existing observing networks already working to expand temperature observations, noting that FVON was helping to collect data in coastal and marginal sea regions, thus changing the landscape of ocean observing in difficult-to-reach regions. With additional investment and growth in observing systems like FVON, GOOS will be able to fill in gaps across the globe and create a more complete picture of our oceans.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Moving forward together\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/a>
From left to right, Cooper Van Vranken (Ocean Data Network, Co-Chair of FVON), Angel Ruiz-Angulo (University of Iceland), and Christopher Cusack (EDF) strategizing FVON deployments in the North Atlantic Ocean to best meet the data needs of government, academic, and fishing industry stakeholders. (Credit: Leslie Von Pless, EDF)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

By filling in coastal and shelf sea data gaps, FVON is revolutionizing the way scientists, fishers and policymakers understand the ocean, prepare for climate change and extreme weather\u00a0events\u00a0and engage in the blue economy.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By recognizing this contribution, the WMO not only shifts the paradigm for what ocean scientists are capable of achieving \u2013 but also for David, Osbourne, Nana and the global coastal communities who will benefit from more accurate weather forecasts, safer seas and a healthier ocean.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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For more information, check out the FVON website<\/a> or follow its social channels below: <\/p>\n\n\n\n