The tuna industry moves millions of tons of fish across vast ocean networks every year, yet many suppliers still struggle to track their products from vessel to shelf. Traditional paper-based documentation leaves gaps that can expose businesses to compliance risks, mislabeling issues, and sustainability challenges. Modern satellite tracking technologies like VMS and AIS offer a solution, but understanding how they work and how they integrate into your tuna supply chain makes the difference between basic monitoring and comprehensive traceability.
This article explains how VMS and AIS technologies capture real-time vessel data, follow tuna through complex supply chains, and why digital platforms are replacing manual tracking methods to help suppliers verify their sustainability claims with confidence.
What VMS and AIS technology actually track
Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS) and Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) both use satellite technology to track fishing vessels, but they serve different purposes and capture distinct types of data.
VMS operates as a mandatory tracking system in most fishing jurisdictions. It transmits vessel position data directly to fisheries management authorities at regular intervals, typically every hour or two. The system captures precise GPS coordinates, vessel speed, and course. Some VMS units also record engine status and fishing gear deployment, which helps authorities identify when vessels are actively fishing versus transiting between locations. When VMS is turned off this usually creates an immediate non-compliance when fishing in EEZ’s.
AIS functions differently. Originally designed for maritime safety, AIS broadcasts vessel information to nearby ships and coastal stations. The system transmits more frequently than VMS, often every few seconds when vessels are moving. AIS data includes vessel identity, position, speed, heading, and navigation status. Unlike VMS, AIS signals can be received by anyone with appropriate equipment, making this data more accessible for commercial tracking purposes. However it is not uncommon that fishing vessel captains might turn their AIS temporarily off for various reasons, without any sanctions.
The technical differences matter for tuna traceability. VMS provides more reliable long-range coverage in remote ocean areas where tuna fishing occurs, while AIS offers higher-frequency updates and additional vessel details when ships operate near coastlines or other vessels.
How satellite tracking follows tuna from catch to processing
The tracking process begins before tuna fishing starts. When vessels depart port, their VMS and AIS systems start recording location data and transmitting it to satellites. This creates a digital trail of the vessel’s movements throughout the fishing trip.
During active fishing operations, the satellite data captures specific vessel behaviors that indicate fishing activity. Sudden speed changes, circular movement patterns, or extended periods at specific coordinates often signal when nets are deployed or lines are set. Some advanced systems combine this movement data with additional sensors that detect when fishing gear is in use, whether a tuna net set is on a free swimming school or on a FAD.
When tuna is caught and brought aboard, the satellite tracking continues to monitor the vessel’s location and activities. This positioning data becomes linked to the specific catch through digital logging systems that record the time, location, and fishing method used for each haul or set.
The connection between satellite data and catch batches happens when vessels discharge their tuna at port or during transshipment operations. Digital systems assign unique identifiers to each batch of fish, linking them to the satellite-tracked vessel movements and fishing locations where they were caught. This creates a verifiable chain connecting the final product back to its exact origin coordinates and fishing activities.
Processing facilities receive both the physical tuna and its associated digital tracking data, allowing them to maintain the connection between satellite-verified fishing activities and processed products throughout manufacturing and packaging operations.
Why traditional tracking methods fail tuna suppliers
Traditional manual documentation systems create significant vulnerabilities that expose tuna suppliers to compliance risks and operational inefficiencies:
- Documentation errors and data loss: Fishing crews record catch data in paper logbooks during rough sea conditions, leading to illegible entries, missing information, and transcription errors that multiply as tuna moves through different facilities
- Timing and accuracy issues: Manual documentation often happens hours or days after fishing events occur, making it difficult to accurately link catch batches to specific locations or vessel activities when verification is needed
- Fragmented information systems: Vessel logs, port discharge records, processing documents, and certification paperwork typically exist in separate systems, requiring weeks of manual assembly when compliance issues arise or customers demand proof of sustainable sourcing
- Inability to prove negative claims: Manual systems cannot provide the detailed, timestamped evidence needed to confirm that tuna was not caught in protected areas or using prohibited methods, failing to satisfy regulatory requirements or customer sustainability standards
- Regulatory and reputational risks: Incomplete documentation can lead to regulatory violations, while gaps in supply chain transparency may result in lost sales or reputational damage when customers discover verification failures
These systematic failures in traditional tracking methods leave tuna suppliers vulnerable to compliance violations, customer dissatisfaction, and competitive disadvantages in markets that increasingly demand verified sustainability claims. The scattered, error-prone nature of manual systems simply cannot meet the transparency and verification standards required by modern regulatory frameworks and conscious consumers.
How SmarTuna transforms vessel tracking into product verification
SmarTuna integrates real-time VMS and AIS data into a comprehensive digital traceability platform that captures tuna supply chain information from the moment fishing begins. The system automatically receives satellite tracking data and combines it with vessel records, discharge volumes, and certifications to create verifiable documentation for each batch of tuna.
The platform assigns a unique Raw Material ID at port discharge, digitally linking each batch to its satellite-verified origin, composition, and fishing activities. This connection happens before processing begins, ensuring that traceability data remains intact throughout the entire supply chain journey.
Key capabilities include:
- Automated compliance checking: Real-time verification against 15+ regulatory and certification databases, including RFMO registries, ISSF PVR, MSC CoC, and IUU blacklists, eliminating manual compliance research and reducing regulatory risk
- Continuous vessel monitoring: Real-time integration with satellite VMS and AIS systems provides uninterrupted tracking of fishing activities, vessel movements, and operational behaviors throughout each fishing trip
- Instant documentation access: Digital storage of all verification documents per batch enables immediate, audit-ready documentation retrieval, replacing weeks of manual record assembly with instant verification
- Universal data compatibility: GDST-compatible data exchange works seamlessly across all tuna species and fishing methods, ensuring consistent traceability standards regardless of product variety or sourcing method
- Consumer transparency features: Digital Product Passports accessible via QR codes provide end consumers with verified sustainability information, supporting brand trust and market differentiation
This integrated approach transforms scattered vessel tracking data into comprehensive product verification that addresses every weakness of traditional manual systems. Instead of reactive documentation assembly after problems arise, tuna suppliers gain proactive access to verifiable sustainability and sourcing claims backed by real satellite data, turning every product code into a verified sustainability story that demonstrates compliance and builds customer confidence.
Ready to see how satellite tracking can strengthen your tuna traceability? Contact SmarTuna today to learn how the platform turns vessel monitoring data into audit-ready proof of sustainable sourcing practices.
