Deputy Minister of Aquaculture and Fisheries, Guillermo Moran, said the facility is part of a test using computer monitoring technology on boats to help save fishermans' lives, detect illegal activities and manage marine protected areas.
Satellite Monitoring Systems work by radio and satellite technology. They can monitor artisanal vessels when they are coastal, semi offshore and oceanic.
The devices also have a panic button. If pressed, the alarm will be received automatically by the Coast Guard Command (Coguar).
The placement of the devices will be completed gradually to 17,000 artisanal vessels of the country, in the provinces of El Oro, Esmeraldas, Guayas, Manabi and Santa Elena.
