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Fishing continues to be a vital part of Canada’s economy, though the industry is not without threat due to unregistered vessels and unreported fishing. These so-called “dark vessels” pose numerous security risks. Not only are they a real threat to local and global fish populations, but they also directly impact human rights through trafficking risks sparking the need for dark vessel detection systems.

The Canadian Digital Supercluster announced the “Protecting Our Oceans” project to help combat these undocumented vessels. The project is collaborative between MDA, Simon Fraser University and VizworX. The team created the Virtual Operations Environment (VOE) using satellite monitoring, AI, analytics and visualizations to safeguard our marine ecosystems. This dark vessel detection system helps improve control room operations.

The Virtual Operations Environment (VOE) is a powerful representation of a control room completely reconstructed in virtual reality. Using virtual reality, VOE reduces cognitive load and streamlines various control room processes while making the control room accessible anywhere. Using VR, Operators can analyze, chart and compile data from multiple sources in a tangible, hands-on way. The interface allows users to move and sort data however they see fit, allowing each operator to personalize their screens and panels.

The result adds portability and personalization to the modern control room, allowing operators to quickly and easily access data, monitor vessels, and take action. The Virtual Operations Environment (VOE) helps operators make faster decisions, allowing them to better protect our coastal communities and oceans.