Israeli innovation takes aim at destructive blast fishing threatening oceans worldwide – Ynetnews

Report on an Acoustic Detection System for Combating Illegal Blast Fishing and Advancing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Introduction and Technological Overview

An acoustic detection system, developed in Israel, has been engineered to address the critical issue of illegal blast fishing. This technology enables authorities to detect underwater explosions in real-time, providing a crucial tool to stop this highly destructive and illicit practice. The system’s successful implementation marks a significant step forward in marine conservation technology.

Impact on Marine Ecosystems and SDG 14 (Life Below Water)

Blast fishing causes catastrophic and often irreversible damage to marine environments, directly undermining the objectives of SDG 14. The deployment of this acoustic system provides a direct countermeasure to these threats.

• Ecosystem Destruction: The practice obliterates coral reefs, which are vital nurseries for countless marine species, and indiscriminately kills fish and other marine life.
• Contribution to SDG 14 Targets: The technology actively supports the achievement of several key targets within SDG 14.
  1. Target 14.2: By enabling the protection of coral reefs and other vulnerable habitats from explosive damage, it helps to sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems.
  2. Target 14.4: It provides an effective tool for authorities to end illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing practices.
  3. Target 14.1: By preventing the degradation caused by explosions, it contributes to the reduction of marine pollution and debris.

Global Scope and Regional Implementation

The problem of blast fishing is widespread, affecting coastal communities and marine biodiversity across Asia, Latin America, and Africa. A successful pilot program for the acoustic system has been conducted in the Philippines, demonstrating its efficacy in a real-world environment. Based on these positive results, plans are underway for a worldwide expansion of the technology to other affected regions.

Contribution to Broader Sustainable Development Goals

Beyond its primary impact on SDG 14, this initiative contributes to a wider range of global sustainability objectives.

1. SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions): The system strengthens the capacity of national and local institutions to enforce environmental laws, combat wildlife crime, and promote the rule of law over marine resources.
2. SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth): By protecting marine biodiversity and the health of fish stocks, the technology helps secure the long-term viability of sustainable fisheries and tourism, which are critical sources of income and employment for coastal populations.
3. SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals): The development of this technology in Israel and its implementation in the Philippines exemplifies a successful international partnership for transferring environmentally sound technology to developing nations to address a shared global challenge.

Conclusion and Future Outlook

The Israeli-developed acoustic system represents a pivotal advancement in the global effort to eradicate blast fishing. Its successful trials and planned expansion offer a scalable solution that directly supports the conservation of marine life (SDG 14) while reinforcing legal frameworks (SDG 16), sustainable economies (SDG 8), and international cooperation (SDG 17). The continued global deployment of this technology is essential for protecting the world’s oceans for future generations.

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 14: Life Below Water

  This is the most directly relevant SDG. The article focuses on “illegal blast fishing,” a practice that causes “massive marine destruction.” The acoustic system’s purpose is to stop this destructive method, thereby conserving marine ecosystems and combating illegal fishing, which are core objectives of SDG 14.

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

  The article mentions that the system helps “authorities detect and stop illegal blast fishing.” This relates to strengthening institutions to enforce laws and combat illegal activities, which is a key aspect of SDG 16. By providing a tool for enforcement, the technology supports the development of effective and accountable institutions.

• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

  The article highlights an “Israeli-developed” system being successfully trialed in the “Philippines” with plans to “expand worldwide.” This demonstrates international cooperation, technology transfer, and partnership between a developed nation and a developing nation to address a global environmental challenge, which is the essence of SDG 17.

• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

  The development of an “acoustic system” represents a technological innovation. This technology is being applied to solve a critical sustainability problem, aligning with SDG 9’s emphasis on fostering innovation and upgrading technological capabilities to support sustainable development.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 14: Life Below Water

  1. Target 14.4: By 2020, effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing and destructive fishing practices. The article directly addresses this by focusing on a technology to stop “illegal blast fishing,” which is a prime example of both IUU and destructive fishing.
  2. Target 14.2: By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts. The article states that blast fishing causes “massive marine destruction.” The system aims to prevent this destruction, thereby helping to protect and manage marine ecosystems.

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

  1. Target 16.a: Strengthen relevant national institutions, including through international cooperation, to build capacity at all levels, in particular in developing countries, to prevent violence and combat terrorism and crime. The acoustic system is a tool that strengthens the capacity of national “authorities” in countries like the Philippines to combat the crime of illegal fishing.

• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

  1. Target 17.7: Promote the development, transfer, dissemination and diffusion of environmentally sound technologies to developing countries on favourable terms. The article describes the transfer of an “Israeli-developed” acoustic system (an environmentally sound technology) to the “Philippines” and its planned worldwide expansion.
  2. Target 17.6: Enhance North-South, South-South and triangular regional and international cooperation on and access to science, technology and innovation. The collaboration between Israel and the Philippines is a clear example of North-South cooperation on technology and innovation to address a shared environmental issue.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

The article does not mention official SDG indicators, but it implies several metrics that could be used to measure progress:

• For Target 14.4 (End destructive fishing practices):

  1. Implied Indicator: A decrease in the number of detected blast fishing incidents in monitored areas. The article states the system helps “detect and stop” this practice. Tracking the frequency of detections over time would directly measure the system’s impact on reducing this illegal activity.

• For Target 14.2 (Protect marine ecosystems):

  1. Implied Indicator: Reduction in the area of marine habitat (e.g., coral reefs) damaged by blast fishing. The goal is to prevent “massive marine destruction.” Measuring the health and extent of marine ecosystems in the deployment zones before and after implementation would serve as an indicator of success.

• For Target 17.7 (Technology transfer):

  1. Implied Indicator: The number of countries and marine areas where the acoustic system is deployed. The article’s statement that the system will “soon expand worldwide” after trials in the Philippines implies that its geographic proliferation is a key measure of the partnership’s success.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: ynetnews.com