Fishing Activity Detection from AIS Data Using Autoencoders

Marine life has significant impact on our planet, providing food, oxygen and biodiversity. But, 90 percent of the large fish are gone primarily because of overfishing, according to the 2010 Census of Marine Life. Thus it is desirable to detect fishing activities in the ocean. Satellite AIS Automatic Identification System is a vessel identification system that monitors the position of ships worldwide for collision avoidance, allowing us to track vessels on the ocean. AIS equipment is required to be fitted aboard international voyaging ships that are 300 tons or above, and all passenger ships.