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Smart Eyes Over the Ocean: How AI Drones are Changing the Game in Tuna Fishing
Tuna has become a staple in American kitchens, with the U.S. ranking as one of the top consumers of both canned and fresh varieties. Around 500,000 tons of tuna are eaten every year across the country, making it a go-to choice for quick and healthy meals. But have you ever wondered where all this tuna comes from? Surprisingly, most of it is imported from countries like Thailand, the Philippines, Ecuador, and Indonesia.
However, while tuna is in high demand, the fishing industry faces substantial challenges. Tuna fishing is the most profitable part of the seafood industry, but it’s also one of the most expensive. Costs are driven up by the need for helicopters to spot tuna schools, making operations financially risky and resource-intensive.
Helicopters account for nearly a quarter of the expenses in deep-sea tuna fishing, and their use poses significant risks. John Keh, CEO and founder of Valtec, a company specializing in AI tuna detection systems, explains, “Helicopters are often used to spot tuna, but they come with high costs and dangers. Accidents happen, especially when landing on a moving platform at sea.” Last year, a company Valtec worked with experienced a helicopter accident. Thankfully, no one was injured, but the ship required expensive repairs as a result.
Recognizing the need for a safer and more cost-effective solution, John Keh and his team at Valtec developed an AI-powered drone system that addresses these challenges, offering a smarter, more efficient alternative to traditional helicopter use in tuna fishing.
Could the technology developed by Valtec be the future of tuna fishing?
Valtec’s system, named "Nemo" after the famous fish character, introduces a new method for spotting fish. These lightweight carbon fiber drones, weighing only 10-15 kg, fly over the fishing zones, capturing real-time images and data to identify where the largest schools of fish are located.
Unlike the old way where people used binoculars to spot fish, John Keh explained, "Now we use computer vision, so there’s no human guesswork. The human eye can’t accurately tell how many fish are out there." The system gathers information like ocean temperature, wind, pressure, sonar, and radar to predict the three best fishing spots. This helps boat captains plan their routes better, saving time and fuel, which is important since "boats use a lot of gas searching for fish in the ocean."
John Keh said, "Our goal is to make it easy for ship captains, so with just one push of a button, they can launch the drones."
A Smarter, Safer, and Cheaper Solution to Helicopter Fishing
While 90% of the world’s tuna is still caught using helicopters, the risks associated with their use in deep-sea fishing are significant. High winds and rough seas make helicopter operations dangerous, with the constant threat of accidents. Despite this, helicopters remain the primary tool for locating schools of fish in the industry.
Keh sees drones as a safer and more efficient alternative. “I like to use the metaphor of how, before cars, people used to ride horses. And when cars came out, they switched... maybe it will be the same case with helicopters and drones ten years down the line,” he said. Drones are lighter, less hazardous, and even if a drone crashes, it causes minimal damage to the ship.
The drones used by Valtec are manufactured by Marine Instruments, a company based in Spain. These drones can reach speeds of up to 100 km/h, have a range of 30 km, and can operate for up to eight hours. Valtec plans to officially deploy these drones on fishing vessels in November, with the aim of reducing daily operational costs, which currently average about $40,000 USD per day.
Before entering the fishing industry, John Keh worked as a drone operator and started Caviar, a food delivery service in 2013. After selling Caviar and working briefly at Uber Eats, he launched Gather Wholesale in 2019, which struggled due to the impact of COVID-19.
Can AI Technology Win the Trust of Fishermen?
Keh was introduced to the fishing industry through a personal connection with a fishing fleet owner in Kaohsiung. This connection led to the start of Valtec, focusing on the challenges faced by the fishing industry. Initially, some fishermen were hesitant about AI and automation, worried that it could replace them or their crew. “They were worried they or their crew would be replaced,” Keh said. However, by collaborating with fishing companies, Valtec was able to address these concerns and build trust.
In 2023, Valtec secured a $2 million seeed round investment led by Spark Labs. The funds are being used to gather and analyze data from early drone tests, which will help improve the system. By the end of the year, Valtec plans to expand its drone service to more fishing fleets.
Valtec is also committed to sustainability. John Keh shared that the company is developing models to detect endangered species like dolphins, helping fishermen avoid accidentally catching protected marine life and supporting ocean conservation efforts.
John Keh said one of the biggest challenges in launching Valtec has been the lack of quick feedback. “With my first company, Caviar, I got feedback and complaints fast. But with Valtec, we have to wait because the ships are out at sea for a long time.”
Despite the challenges, John Keh stays determined: “As an entrepreneur, you have to have the will to keep going, even after being hit.”
Looking ahead, Valtec's use of AI and drones could really change the way the fishing industry works. By making things safer, cutting costs, and helping protect the ocean, they’re showing that technology can solve some big problems. As sustainability becomes more important, Valtec’s approach could lead the way in making deep-sea fishing more responsible.
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