The new contract includes communications and maintenance for all systems deployed since 2021, along with the provision of 64 additional devices
The Balearic Islands Government has awarded a new contract to Spanish technology company Satlink to continue the implementation and maintenance of its Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS) across its artisanal fishing fleet, which consists of 260 vessels. Satlink, specialized in satellite solutions for managing and optimizing fisheries, was first selected in 2021 to install these devices, also known as "green boxes," aboard the entire artisanal fleet.
With the awarding of this new contract to Satlink, the Balearic Islands aims to equip these vessels with the most advanced fisheries management mechanisms available to ensure the transparent, sustainable, and responsible origin of their catches.
The four-year contract covers comprehensive maintenance services for both the devices and the platform from which the Balearic Islands Government's Directorate General of Fisheries manages tracking data sent from fishing vessels. It also includes the provision of 64 additional units for replacing devices and integrating new vessels.
Satlink’s device enables the recording of vessel identification data as well as its position, heading, and navigation speed, and transmits this information at programmable intervals—from as little as one minute—to the management platform operated by fisheries authorities. Its compact size facilitates installation on small- to medium-sized vessels, and the solar panel mounted on deck provides a continuous power source to the green box.
The awarding of this contract, like that of 2021, falls under the development of the decree regulating the Vessel Monitoring System for Fishing Vessels in the Balearic Islands (SLSEPIB), approved in February 2019. At that time, the Balearic Islands became the second autonomous community, after Andalusia, to complement the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food’s (MAPA) vessel activity tracking system, known as the "blue box," which is mandatory for vessels 12 meters or longer, with its own regional management system for the entire fleet, known as the "green box." Satlink currently also provides green boxes to the Andalusian Regional Government for this purpose.
Antoni M. Grau, Director General of Fisheries for the Balearic Islands Government, stated that the green boxes have represented a tremendous technological advancement in managing the artisanal fishing fleet’s activities, facilitating adaptive, sustainable fishing and engaging the sector.
In turn, Pedro Vigil, Satlink’s Commercial Director, noted, “It is gratifying that the Balearic Government has renewed its trust in our technology and service, enabling further progress in fisheries management, with better data for decision-making, enhanced traceability, fishing activity monitoring, and fisheries effort management.”
