The government is planning a Tk600 crore satellite-based surveillance system to monitor fishing vessels in the Bay of Bengal and speed up rescue operations when fishermen face storms, accidents or mechanical failures at sea.
Bangladesh Satellite Company Limited (BSCL) plans to deploy four low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites equipped with Automatic Identification System (AIS) technology, alongside two ground stations and local data-processing infrastructure.
The system aims to monitor vessels around the clock, with a maximum 30-minute revisit time across the Bay. This would help authorities identify the location and movement of AIS-equipped boats, including those operating beyond mobile network coverage.
BSCL Managing Director Dr Muhammad Imadur Rahman said the initiative would strengthen fishermen's safety, maritime security and the sustainable management of marine resources.
The system could also help authorities detect vessels operating beyond designated boundaries, monitor fishing activities and tackle illegal and unregulated fishing. However, AIS tracks vessels rather than locating fish; identifying potential fishing grounds requires separate oceanographic data and technologies.
BSCL estimates that better route planning using vessel movement data could save up to 150 litres of diesel per vessel on a single voyage, with potential annual savings of 45 million litres.
A feasibility study is under way. Implementation will begin after the technical design, financing, satellite procurement and necessary infrastructure are finalised. The service is expected to become operational by 2028.