Sustainable Fisheries Management

Monitoring Vessels and Fishing Boats

CLS Southern Africa provides robust Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) solutions that help fishermen and authorities ensure full compliance with national and international fishing regulations. Built with marine-grade transponders, these systems guarantee secure, reliable, and continuous data transmission, even in remote offshore areas.

Adapted to the diversity of Africa’s fishing fleet, CLS VMS solutions serve industrial vessels, coastal boats, and artisanal operators alike, enabling real-time monitoring and improved control of fishing activities.

Today, more than 18,000 vessels worldwide, including many operating in African waters, are equipped with CLS VMS technology. These systems strengthen operational safety, promote transparent and sustainable fishing practices, and support the long-term protection of marine resources across the region.

Intelligence Services: CATSAT

CATSAT is our advanced onboard decision-support software that helps fishermen identify the most productive fishing areas by combining satellite oceanography, environmental data, and operational expertise. Through the integration of space-based observations and sophisticated marine models, CATSAT enables informed decision-making, allowing users to plan routes efficiently, reduce fuel consumption, and minimize environmental impact while increasing catch selectivity.

Built on the knowledge of oceanographers, marine biologists, and ecosystem modeling experts, CATSAT transforms scientific insight into practical tools for the sustainable management of marine resources.

With its proven global performance, CATSAT provides the fishing industry with innovative, data-driven solutions that support sustainability, profitability, and responsible ocean management—core values at the heart of CLS Southern Africa’s mission.

Marine Ecosystem Modeling

In 2006, we launched the Marine Ecosystem Modeling and Satellite Monitoring (MEMMS) program to develop innovative tools and applications that bridge the gap between operational oceanography and the needs of users in research, government, and industry.

At the heart of this initiative is SEAPODYM, a pioneering ocean ecosystem model that simulates and forecasts the dynamics of marine life. SEAPODYM focuses on micronekton, small marine organisms that play a crucial role in the ocean food web as prey for large predators and as consumers of pelagic eggs and larvae. The model predicts the biomass and distribution of six micronekton functional groups, from the surface to a depth of 1000 meters, as well as a zooplankton group that represents essential food for larvae.

By integrating biological data with physical ocean variables such as temperature, currents, and dissolved oxygen, SEAPODYM provides valuable insights into spawning habitats, larval density, feeding areas, migration corridors, and zones of persistent favorable conditions.

For instance, for the African continent, where the Benguela and Agulhas currents shape some of the most productive marine ecosystems on the planet, this technology offers a unique opportunity to enhance fisheries management, marine conservation, and ecosystem-based decision-making. CLS Southern Africa connects this global scientific expertise with regional priorities to support the sustainable management of marine resources.

Electronic Catch Reporting Systems

Electronic Catch Reporting (ERS) represents a major step forward in modern fisheries management, providing faster monitoring and more accurate stock assessments to support the sustainable use of marine resources. Electronic logbooks are at the heart of this system, enabling transparent and real-time reporting of fishing activities.

CLS Southern Africa offers innovative ERS applications and electronic tagging tools that allow fishermen and authorities to meet international reporting standards. These solutions make it possible to record and transmit fishing data such as landings, catch positions, and effort information with precision and reliability.

By transforming how information is collected and shared, CLS ERS solutions enhance traceability, compliance, and data quality, supporting better decision-making for the long-term management of Africa’s fisheries and marine ecosystems.

Fighting Illegal Fishing

Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing poses a serious threat to the sustainability of the world’s oceans and the livelihoods that depend on them. In Africa, where vast marine areas and rich biodiversity make surveillance particularly challenging, CLS provides advanced solutions to strengthen monitoring and enforcement at sea.

By combining and analyzing AIS and VMS data with radar and optical satellite imagery from multiple operators, CLS technologies make it possible to detect and identify suspicious vessel behavior with speed and precision.

All this information is consolidated within CLS decision-support platforms and fisheries monitoring centers, enabling proactive management and rapid response by maritime authorities. Through these integrated systems, CLS Southern Africa supports transparent, effective, and sustainable protection of marine resources across the region’s exclusive economic zones.