Prospects of the future squid fishing based on the big data

In this paper, we propose a new approach to squid fishing that makes use of shared information. A typical squid fishing vessel is outfitted with 10 or more automatic squid jiggers lined along both sides of the vessel and controlled from the wheelhouse via a single control panel. All of the jiggers are centrally controlled from this panel, which typically has a monitor that provides the operator with real-time data on the operating mode and motor load of each jigger. In addition to determining the cumulative tonnage of a catch, such information can be overlapped upon vertical water temperature profiles to graphically depict a fishing ground and support highly detailed inferences of its location and extent. A squid jigger is comprised of a drum, around which is wrapped a wire that strings together a series of lures and sinkers. The drum is swiveled to move the lures up and down. Based on the idea that this commonly used device should be utilizable for the automatic measurement of water temperature profiles, we aimed to develop a ubiquitous sensor that can meet this criterion while also being easily used by fishermen at sea. Through 32 field trials, we confirmed that our device can repeatedly measure the water temperature distribution down to a depth of 300 m. Also, through direct comparison with oceanographic instruments mounted on actual research vessels, we were able to verify that the measurements produced by our device at thermoclines varied by no more than 1.3 °C from the values produced by such instruments. We are currently working to improve the response rate of our ubiquitous sensor with an eye toward real-world application.