SKYWAVE and PT SOG INDONESIA help ensure sustainable Indonesian commercial fishing with satellite IoT vessel monitoring system

Indonesia’s vast marine territory and abundant marine resources, including its fisheries, are crucial to the nation’s economy and socioeconomic development. However, an imbalance between global fish demand and available resources, combined with weak monitoring, limited law enforcement, and a lack of patrol facilities and surveillance systems, has led to an increase in illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

Since 2007, PT SOG INDONESIA has helped combat IUU fishing in Indonesia through its Vessel Monitoring System (VMS), powered by SKYWAVE® satellite technology. In addition, PT SOG participates in the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) program, providing training and educational resources to fishing vessel operators across Indonesia.

The challenge

IUU fishing in Indonesia has been an ongoing problem that results in numerous negative impacts, including:

• Economic losses for local fishermen and their communities
• Destruction to the long-term health of Indonesian fisheries
• National security risks due to untracked foreign fishing
• Food insecurity due to unreliable fishing yields

According to Sanny Jauwhannes, President Director of PT SOG, regulatory changes aimed at addressing these challenges, while well-intentioned, have introduced new obstacles for fishing operations throughout Indonesia.

“The ability to track fishing vessels has become the primary way the KKP monitors the waters under its jurisdiction to ensure a sustainable marine environment,” says Jauwhannes.

“Under the latest regulations of the KKP program, all vessels under 30 gross tons (GT) are required to install a VMS transmitter. Vessel location monitoring plays a key role in supporting sustainable fishing and ensuring a stable fish supply.

“However, getting thousands of vessels to install the equipment is not easy. It requires education about the equipment, installation assistance, and ongoing support for its use.”

The solution

PT SOG has been installing VMS technology on fishing fleets since 2007. The company has worked with SKYWAVE for many years to make affordable, satellite-enabled VMS solutions available to fishing fleets across Indonesia.

Adding these systems to larger fishing vessels is relatively straightforward, as they typically already have the necessary communications equipment on board.

However, because of the KKP program, smaller vessels—which often lack both the required equipment and a reliable power source—must also be equipped with VMS technology. This can be challenging, as small vessel owners typically do not have the technical knowledge or budget required. PT SOG developed its VMS solution with the needs of small-vessel fleet operators in mind.

PT SOG’s VMS solution uses SKYWAVE satellite services and terminals to provide extensive network coverage and reliable location data, even in adverse weather conditions. PT SOG’s customers can use the solution to configure hourly transmission intervals, track vessel positions, and monitor vessel speed and heading from shore.

“PT SOG is the leader in VMS solutions installed aboard Indonesian fishing vessels under the KKP program. With around 2,300 active vessels and more than 7,000 transmitters delivered since 2007, we are helping fishing fleets support a sustainable fishing environment for the future,” says Jauwhannes.

“In addition to the KKP program, we have also installed systems on landing craft, tank vessels, cargo ships, and tugboats. By working with SKYWAVE, we have been able to provide cost-effective solutions that are customizable and easy to install and use.

“In addition to complying with regulations, fleet owners can now improve crew safety by monitoring their vessels 24 hours a day, seven days a week through satellite connectivity.”

As more vessels deploy VMS technology, the near real-time data supports better decision-making and more effective fisheries management.

Tracking vessels makes it easier to manage quotas and identify and monitor protected, environmentally sensitive fishing areas.

The results

“PT SOG helps fishing fleets, both independently and as part of the KKP program, by providing technical guidance on how to use, repair, and maintain VMS systems at fishing ports across Indonesia. With thousands of systems now online, the KKP and fishing fleet operators have already realized numerous benefits,” says Jauwhannes.

Using PT SOG’s solution, vessel operators can now:

• Optimize their routes, resulting in reduced fuel consumption.
• Improve logistics to lower operating costs.
• Integrate weather forecasts to avoid treacherous seas and help keep their crews safe.
• Demonstrate compliance with the latest government regulations.
• Improve search-and-rescue efforts in the event of an emergency aboard one of their vessels.
• Help prevent piracy and other criminal activities.
• Support local communities’ livelihoods and promote fair competition within Indonesia’s fishing industry.

“VMS solutions help support sustainable fishing practices, benefiting everyone—including fishing fleet operators, the Indonesian government, and solution providers like us. Indonesia is recognized as a global leader in sustainability through its support of the Life Below Water goal of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We are privileged and proud to contribute to these important initiatives that support the long-term health of our planet,” says Jauwhannes.